Real Madrid keeping tabs on Liverpool leader amid contract uncertainty | OneFootball

Virgil van Dijk to Real Madrid? Transfer Interest Remains as Contract Uncertainty Grows

Madrid’s Centre-Back Crisis Keeps Van Dijk on Their Radar

Real Madrid’s ongoing defensive struggles have kept their interest in Virgil van Dijk alive, according to AS. With his Liverpool contract edging closer to its expiry, speculation surrounding the Dutch defender’s next move is intensifying.

Madrid’s defensive woes in 2024/25 have been well-documented. David Alaba’s long-term absence due to an ACL injury coincided with a similar setback for Eder Militao. The club also lost their experienced captain, Nacho, to the Saudi Pro League, while failing to land Leny Yoro, who joined Manchester United. Their makeshift solutions, including Aurelien Tchouameni stepping in as an emergency centre-back, have held things together but are far from sustainable.

Photo IMAGO

Long-term, Madrid have set their sights on RB Leipzig’s highly-rated Castello Lukeba, but with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea also in the mix, securing the 22-year-old will not be straightforward. That leaves Madrid exploring short-term solutions, and Van Dijk, should he become available, would fit the bill.

Liverpool’s Contract Silence Raises Questions

Van Dijk’s future has not been as widely debated as that of Trent Alexander-Arnold or Mohamed Salah, but that in itself has led to speculation. While Liverpool’s priority appears to be securing their younger stars on long-term deals, there has been little news regarding a renewal for their captain.

At 32, Van Dijk remains one of the best defenders in world football, and his leadership at Liverpool has been instrumental. However, with no confirmation of a new contract and Real Madrid’s interest still lingering, it raises an important question: is this the beginning of the end for Van Dijk at Anfield?

Photo: IMAGO

Madrid’s Interest: A Genuine Threat?

It is difficult to imagine Liverpool willingly allowing their captain to walk away on a free transfer. Since arriving from Southampton in January 2018 for £75m, Van Dijk has been the cornerstone of their success, playing a pivotal role in winning the Champions League in 2019 and ending a 30-year wait for the league title in 2020.

But football moves quickly, and Madrid’s pull remains strong. With their defensive situation as dire as it is, their interest in Van Dijk remains logical. If contract talks between Liverpool and Van Dijk do not accelerate soon, the European champions could be in a position to test the waters.

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For Liverpool supporters, the thought of Van Dijk leaving, especially to Real Madrid, feels somewhat unthinkable. But is it?

Liverpool’s transition under Arne Slot will inevitably involve difficult decisions, and while Van Dijk remains an elite defender, he is also entering the final years of his career. The club’s reluctance to push contract talks forward as quickly as they have with other key players suggests they are at least considering their long-term defensive options.

Madrid’s interest, though credible, does not necessarily mean an imminent move. The Spanish giants have a history of targeting experienced players in short-term roles, but would Van Dijk really swap a leadership role at Liverpool for a temporary stint in La Liga? Given his status, any move away from Anfield would need to be on his terms, not Madrid’s desperation.

If Liverpool are serious about keeping their captain, clarity is needed. The longer the uncertainty lingers, the more realistic Madrid’s hopes will become. Liverpool fans will hope that an agreement is just a matter of time—but in football, nothing is guaranteed.