Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is facing an uncertain future at the club, with less than one year remaining on his current contract, with teams now lining up a potential move for the defender
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands during the UEFA Nations League match between Serbia and the Netherlands
Virgil van Dijk was scouted during the international break(Image: (Photo by ANP via Getty Images))
Virgil van Dijk was being scouted by a potential suitor during the international break, as the Liverpool captain faces a huge decision over his future in the coming months.
The 35-year-old has been with the Reds since he signed from Southampton in 2018, costing the club roughly $100 million, with the hope that he would solve a leaky defence. He, along with Alisson, fixed those concerns in the backline, while a deadly attack that featured Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino helped take Jurgen Klopp's team to the very top in both England and Europe as a whole.
Van Dijk's influence at Liverpool cannot be overstated, having been a titanic figure in both size and stature, taking on the captaincy and leading the Reds to nine major honors in his career so far.
However, there will be an end to his journey at Anfield in the future. It's unclear when that will be, but there is a chance it could come in the next year, with the defender's current contract expiring at the end of the season.
While Liverpool could look to extend it before then, clubs appear to be positioning themselves to try and secure a free transfer next summer, if he becomes available.
Real Madrid and Galatasaray have been linked in recent days, while Juventus appears to be the latest team to be keeping a close eye on the centre-back.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 24: Cody Gakpo of Netherlands celebrates scoring his teams first goal of the game with teammate Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Netherlands and Germany at on September 24, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo is congratulated by Virgil van Dijk after his equaliser for the Netherlands against Germany (Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
That's according to Gazzetta dello Sport, which reports that the Bianconeri has been scouting Van Dijk while he is away on international duty with the Netherlands, specifically watching him in his display in a 1-1 draw with Germany.
The Serie A club knows of the 35-year-old's quality, having been at the top of the game for some time, but the main concern for the team is his fitness and ability to continue playing in the future.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti is claimed to be a keen admirer, while any move for Van Dijk will depend on both his contract situation and whether there is an exit in the Juventus backline in the coming year.
It perhaps shows how pressing the issue of Van Dijk's contract is, with the defender able to agree pre-contract terms with his next club from January onwards - so long as it is outside of England.
It's unclear whether the club's hierarchy will move to secure a new contract for the captain, who is in the twilight of his career, or whether he wants to face a new challenge.
That is just one of the many challenges that returning sporting director Julian Ward will have to consider, with both the short-term and long-term impact facing him in the coming months and years.