Virgil van Dijk stands before a Netherlands game in an orange tracksuit
Virgil van Dijk stands before a Netherlands game in an orange tracksuit
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Former Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan could play a role in convincing Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk to join Galatasaray during the winter window.
The 35-year-old centre-back is currently in his ninth season with Liverpool and his contract with the Reds will expire in the summer, with the club yet to offer him a new deal.
In the summer, Turkish giants Galatasaray identified the Liverpool captain as a target, with club president Dursun Ozbek viewing him as a dream addition to bolster the defensive line.
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However, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola had no intention of letting the Dutch international depart in the summer and Van Dijk has started all five league games for the Reds this season.
The Istanbul outfit have not given up on securing the signature of the towering centre-back and it was suggested last week that they have started to lay the groundwork to agree to a pre-contract with Van Dijk.
However, Galatasaray are now looking to fast forward their plan to bring Van Dijk to the club, and are plotting to move in the winter transfer window.
The Turkish champions have conceded 13 goals in seven games so far this season and manager Okan Buruk has asked club president Ozbek to bring in defensive reinforcements.
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Season Position
2025-26 5th
2024–25 1st
2023–24 3rd
2022–23 5th
2021–22 2nd
According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, Galatasaray want to take advantage of Van Dijk’s uncertain future at Anfield to bring him to Istanbul and ex-Premier League star Gundogan could play an important role in their push to sign the Liverpool star.
Gundogan joined Galatasaray in the summer of 2025 after leaving Manchester City and Van Dijk and the German are represented by the same agency.
Van Dijk and Gundogan have faced each other several occasions in the Premier League and know each other from English football.
Gundogan’s uncle also works for the agency and the Galatasaray hierarchy could count on the former Germany international to convince the Liverpool star about a move.
In July, former Galatasaray star Omer Bayram claimed that the Reds captain was blown away after seeing the Turkish giants’ title celebrations on social media.
Inside Futbol have also taken a look at the players that could depart Anfield next summer and Van Dijk is among them.
However, it would still be a major surprise if Liverpool sanctioned a mid-season exit.