Virgil van Dijk fires back at critics as Real Madrid and AC Milan circle expiring Liverpool contract
As Liverpool supporters brace themselves for the return of domestic football this weekend and a defining autumn stretch, a looming contract cloud hangs quietly over the AXA Training Centre.
At 35 years old, Virgil van Dijk may no longer be the invincible force who single-handedly transformed Jürgen Klopp’s defence during the peak trophy-laden years. Yet, few in European football would argue against the fact that the Dutchman remains among the absolute elite.
He is the heartbeat of our backline, the skipper who sets the standard, and the vocal anchor around whom Andoni Iraola’s system operates.
However, with his current Liverpool contract expiring next summer and no formal extension agreed, the captain's future has sparked intense speculation across the continent. While Anfield decision-makers weigh up the long-term age profile of the squad, Europe’s biggest heavyweights are smelling an opportunity.
A potentially earth-shattering free transfer is looming on the horizon and news out of Italy and Spain suggests the race for Van Dijk’s signature is gathering serious momentum.
Milan’s public charm offensive and the Real Madrid threat
Reports across Europe have insistently linked Real Madrid and AC Milan with a move for Van Dijk if he becomes available on a free transfer next June.
In Italy, Milan’s interest has gained significant traction, sparked by glowing commentary from high-profile Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pellegatti made no secret of his desire to see the Liverpool captain trade Merseyside for the San Siro, framing it as a statement move for the Rossoneri.
“Van Dijk would be a tremendous signing – both practically, given that we need a player of that profile in defence, and in terms of media impact, as it would signal that a top player is choosing Milan,” Pellegatti explained.
Pellegatti was quick to acknowledge that convincing a player of Van Dijk’s stature requires elite European football, especially with Bernabéu executives keeping tabs on the situation.
“Clearly, to convince a player of his calibre, Milan absolutely must be in the Champions League; if I were Van Dijk and were being courted by Real Madrid as well, I might prefer Milan out of personal attachment. But it has to be a club playing in the Champions League – otherwise, that attachment takes a back seat.”
Addressing concerns over Van Dijk’s age he turned 35 earlier this year Pellegatti pointed to Milan's history of revitalizing veteran superstars as proof that age is just a number.
“It’s a lead worth pursuing let’s see if Cardinale can pull off this first major signing – perhaps by starting work on it as early as January or February, given that the player’s contract is expiring and Liverpool doesn’t seem inclined to renew it,” he added.
“It would be a fantastic signing. Age doesn’t really matter to me: the great Zlatan Ibrahimović helped us win a league title and was even older, as was Giroud. The important thing is that they are top-quality players; age doesn’t count – only ability matters, and van Dijk is an exceptional player.”
Emotional milestone on the International stage
While transfer speculation rumble in the background, Van Dijk spent the international break cementing his status as an absolute legend of Dutch football.
Skippering the Netherlands to a hard-fought 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Serbia in Eindhoven, Van Dijk officially earned his 100th senior cap for Oranje. The milestone puts him in elite company as only the 11th male Dutch player to reach a century of appearances joining a legendary group led by Wesley Sneijder (134 caps) and former Reds favorite Dirk Kuyt (104 caps).
In an intriguing twist, Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernández deployed Van Dijk at right-sided centre-back for the first time in nearly a decade to accommodate makeshift defender Teun Koopmeiners on the left. The skipper adapted seamlessly, even pulling off a brilliant dummy across the Serbian defence that allowed Koopmeiners to open the scoring from a wide free-kick.
While club teammate Ryan Gravenberch was withdrawn after 59 minutes, Van Dijk played the full 90, helping see out a vital win that leaves the Dutch top of their Nations League group alongside Greece and Germany.
Tears in Eindhoven: "It doesn't stop at one hundred"
Speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS after the final whistle, a visibly emotional skipper admitted that reaching 100 caps hit him harder than he expected once he walked into the dressing room.
“I was very grateful to the group, to the staff and the staff members I have worked with in the past,” Van Dijk said. "But ultimately I am most grateful for my family, who were there tonight as well. A special evening, a wonderful milestone, and certainly something I am very proud of."
The Liverpool captain opened up on the wave of emotion that overtook him following the match:
“I did find it difficult for a moment in the dressing room just now and I am quite emotional, I have to say. Especially at moments like this, I think it is difficult after all. But I am so grateful. It was a wonderful evening. One hundred matches is a wonderful milestone, but it does not stop at one hundred. It is something I never dared dream of. It felt far too distant even to let it enter my mind when I was young.”
Reflecting further on his journey, Van Dijk acknowledged that injury setbacks specifically the anterior cruciate ligament tear that ruined his 2020/21 season prevented him from being even higher up the all-time list.
“They were there tonight, too. So it’s a special evening and great milestone and definitely something I’m very proud of. But it doesn’t stop at 100, even if it’s something I never dreamed about. It felt too far away to think about when I was young, but I think I’ve got the most out of my career. Unfortunately, I missed [2020 with a knee injury] or I might have come close to Wesley Sneijder (134), but I’m proud and happy.”
Head coach Xavi Hernández was glowing in his praise for his captain's leadership and influence on the squad:
“I said that he is an example. That I am very proud. Since our first meeting he has done tremendous work, for himself and the team. He is a real leader, I am so proud that I am his coach.”
What this means for Liverpool and Iraola
For us as Liverpool supporters, Van Dijk’s international milestone is a proud moment but it also brings the harsh reality of his contract situation straight into focus.
Van Dijk himself addressed the inevitable noise surrounding his age and performance levels head-on:
“You have to take very good care of yourself and do everything that you can to be ready every single time,” Van Dijk noted. “I feel like I’m in a good position now, so I just have to keep going. Playing football is the most fun thing there is for me, but I understand why people look at age in our sport."
“When things are going well they always say you look good for your age and then at other times they say you look like an old man. So I just have to make sure that I perform as well as possible for the team, on and off the field. And winning helps, of course. Because you just want to win. Period.”
That relentless hunger to win is precisely why Liverpool cannot afford to let this situation drift quietly into January, when foreign clubs like Real Madrid and AC Milan can legally negotiate a pre-contract agreement.
Replacing a standard centre-back in the modern market is expensive; replacing Virgil van Dijk his leadership, his aerial dominance, his organisational brilliance, and his presence is virtually impossible without spending upwards of £80m.
While Andoni Iraola continues to construct his vision on the pitch allowing our captain to walk away for free next summer would leave a void at Anfield that money simply cannot immediately fix.
The ball is firmly in Liverpool’s court.
