Soon-to-be-free Liverpool superstar ‘would thrive’ at Barcelona, claims former teammate | OneFootball

In recent years, owing to their financial situation, FC Barcelona have been keeping a close watch on the free-agent pool during the summer markets.

And this year, there will be a plethora of top players who could be signed on Bosman deals in the summer.

Barça already have their sights on players such as Jonathan Tah and Joshua Kimmich while they were also keen on Alphonso Davies, before he renewed his contract at Bayern Munich.

Virgil van Dijk can succeed at Barcelona, says Jose Fonte

Another big name whose contract expires in the summer is Liverpool superstar and captain Virgil van Dijk.

One of the best modern-day centre-backs, the Dutchman is yet to reach an agreement on a new deal with the Premier League giants.

And his former teammate at Southampton, Jose Fonte, has claimed that Van Dijk can be a big hit at clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich.

“Van Dijk would thrive at Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich, and I would not be surprised to see him at one of those clubs next season,” Fonte stated, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Van Dijk’s contract expires in the summer. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Fonte went on to praise Van Dijk as “one of the best defenders in football history, and even if he loses a bit of pace, he will improve even further in his positioning and anticipation.”

Continuing, he backed the Dutchman to secure a big move if he leaves Liverpool as he can continue at the highest level for a few more years.

“I would not be surprised to see him at one of those clubs next season because those clubs will be looking for defenders as reliable as Van Dijk, and everyone will be watching if he reaches the end of the season without signing a new contract,” he noted.

“He can still play at the highest level and has shown that he can take care of himself. He will have no problem maintaining that level for three or four more years.”

Barcelona, though, are unlikely to be prioritising the signing of a new centre-back in the summer, unless there is an exit. After all, Hansi Flick is blessed wiht a plethora of options in the department.

Even in the case of a departure, the Blaugrana have been working to sign Jonathan Tah as a free agent. So, it is unlikely that Van Dijk would feature on their transfer wishlist for the summer.