The scheduled departure of Jurgen Klopp and the comments that followed from Virgil van Dijk have cast some serious doubt over the Dutchman’s long-term future at Liverpool.
In the first game after Klopp’s announced he will leave at the end of the season, Van Dijk spoke to the press and, naturally, was asked if the departure affects his will to stay with Liverpool. His response was open-ended enough to make people think that a summer move is far from impossible.
“That’s a big question. Well, I don’t know,” the Dutchman replied. His contract, like some other key players, will be up in June 2025. This fact was put to him and he added further fuel to the flames by saying: “That is correct – good maths! Listen, I don’t know.
“The club will have a big job on their hands. That is well known. To replace the manager and replace not only the manager, the staff is leaving, and there are so many things that will change. So the club has a big job on its hands and I am very curious which direction that will go in. But when that will be announced we will see our situation. I can’t say much about it.”
Those comments do not mean he is leaving imminently and the defender and Klopp refuted the perceived meaning, but it’s more than enough to spark speculation over where he could go. Here are some clubs that would surely be in the frame were Van Dijk available in the summer.
It was reported by Defensa Central soon after Van Dijk’s future was thrown into doubt that Real Madrid would be more than willing to provide a landing spot for the Dutchman. They are one of few clubs in the world that would presumably interest Van Dijk, and be able to cough up the sort of salary that he would demand.
Real Madrid are not currently swimming in central defenders thanks to injuries. Eder Militao, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez are the senior centre-backs at the club, none of whom are expected to leave in the immediate future.
It may be that Nacho is moved on in order to make room for Van Dijk, but a prominent player could be left on the bench each week given Real Madrid always play with only two centre-backs. This might be more opportunistic for the Spanish side should it happen, rather than addressing a genuine gap.
It would really hurt Liverpool fans to see Van Dijk wearing the shirt of a team that has beaten them twice in recent Champions League finals.
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