Liverpool Moves to Prepare for Van Dijk's Departure
Liverpool acts early to prepare alternatives for Van Dijk amid interest from Real Madrid.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Liverpool FC has begun early preparations in anticipation of a potential departure for Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk, amid interest from Spanish club Real Madrid in signing the defender next summer, according to Football Transfers.
Van Dijk’s contract with Liverpool expires in the summer of 2027, after he signed a new two-year deal in the spring of 2025. According to the report, there are currently no guarantees that the club will submit a new offer to extend his stay at Anfield.
Real Madrid’s interest comes amid the possibility of the Dutch defender joining the Spanish capital on a free transfer, a format the club has already utilized this summer to sign French defender Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool, according to the same source. The report also noted interest from other clubs, including Italian side AC Milan, American club Inter Miami, and Turkish club Galatasaray.
Liverpool does not appear to be waiting until the last minute to make its decision, as the club has already outlined several options in preparation for the post-Van Dijk era.
The most prominent name in the plan is former defender Jarell Quansah, who moved to German club Bayer Leverkusen for approximately 35 million euros, with Liverpool retaining a buy-back clause valued at 60 million euros, set to take effect next summer.
Liverpool also has another option in Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo, who is currently playing for the club on loan from Spanish side Barcelona. The agreement includes a purchase option worth 55 million euros, which would allow the Reds to keep him permanently.
According to the report, activating Quansah’s buy-back clause and signing Araujo could cost a total of 115 million euros, a plan that could provide Liverpool with more than one scenario for reshaping its central defense as the Van Dijk era nears its end.
Meanwhile, talk of Van Dijk’s move to Real Madrid remains within the realm of reports and declared interest, rather than a finalized deal. The Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo confirms that Real is one of the potential clubs for the Dutch defender should he become available for free next summer.
