Liverpool warned Virgil van Dijk ‘could be tempted’ by Real Madrid free transfer | OneFootball

Liverpool have been warned that captain Virgil van Dijk could be tempted by a free move to Real Madrid as he enters the final year of his contract.

"Real Madrid is one of them," Heskey said. "So I'd be surprised if his head's not turned. The only thing is that Liverpool letting another big star go at the end of their contract doesn't sit well with me." He told the Liverpool Echo.

Van Dijk is in the final season of the two-year extension signed in April 2025. After a 1-0 win at Bournemouth on 20 September, the 35-year-old said talks on a new deal had not begun.

Real Madrid have reportedly identified him as a leading target, pivoting towards elite players nearing the end of contracts to avoid major fees.

Florentino Perez is said to want a repeat of Ibrahima Konate’s free switch from Merseyside, the Frenchman is settled in Spain and a reunion is viewed as an instant boost.

"Dominik Szoboszlai is a future Liverpool captain," Heskey said. "You've got to start looking at that and try to nail him down as the number one priority."

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”