Liverpool make Virgil van Dijk transfer decision after AC Milan and Fenerbahce interest | OneFootball

There have been various reports in the last week or so suggesting a divorce could be on the cards for Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds’ captain turns 35 this week and remains under contract until 2027.

Despite the security of that deal - worth a reported £400k per week - there have been whispers that sporting director Richard Hughes would listen to offers for the Dutchman in the current transfer period.

Additionally it was also claimed that Van Dijk would be open to a change of scenery if the right challenge could be found.

It would be astonishing if Liverpool sold Van Dijk

Given the scale of change taking place in Liverpool’s defensive ranks it would be an astonishing decision to sanction a sale.

Although an Italian report suggested that a fee of around €30m to €40 would be enough to seal a deal for Van Dijk it would make more sense to have him around for a big season of transition.

Liverpool will be working under a new head coach - Andoni Iraola - and are facing the upcoming campaign without Ibrahima Konate.

AC Milan, Fenerbahce linked

New signings Jeremy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Ndukwe - as well as the returning Giovanni Leoni - are going to need some coaxing through their rookie campaigns in the Premier League.

They would benefit from having Van Dijk in the lineup beside them as a player who featured in every top-flight game last season.

Mercifully it looks like the decision-makers at Anfield hold a similar view - with it now being claimed in the Liverpool Echo that the outgoing Premier League champions are planning to have Van Dijk on board for the new season.

Andoni Iraola is counting on Van Dijk

“Links to AC Milan and Fenerbahce have been dismissed robustly by Anfield sources and the club are planning for the season ahead with their long-serving captain on board,” the report reads.

“He will be an important sounding board for new coach Iraola.”

Van Dijk arrived from Southampton in a world-record £75m deal - going on to lead the Reds to every top gong in the club game.

He has risen to become one of the best defenders of all time - and on his form last season there aren’t many indications that he is losing his level.

This will be a smart decision by Liverpool - in order to give Iraola the best possible chance to settle into life as the Anfield club’s new coach.