Reports from Milan News say Virgil van Dijk has spoken about his Liverpool future while away with the Netherlands, reopening speculation that he could move to AC Milan.
Gerry Cardinale has long admired the Liverpool captain and attempted to sign him this summer, when Van Dijk had one year remaining on his contract. However, new Reds manager Andoni Iraola quickly blocked the defender’s departure.
There has been no further progress on a contract extension in recent months. As a result, Van Dijk will be able to speak to other clubs from January, with the possibility of leaving Liverpool as a free agent after the season.
Van Dijk’s comments have intensified the uncertainty around his future.
“If I renew, that would be even better. Otherwise, I will go somewhere else. There’s nothing to say now, but that doesn’t mean I’m anxious… My mental state is good. I had a small physical issue in the past two weeks, but I’m doing everything I can to be able to play on the field,” he said.
Milan News says Cardinale is continuing to monitor the situation. Should Van Dijk leave Liverpool, AC Milan would be expected to try to secure his signature.
Van Dijk’s admiration for Milan
Van Dijk will turn 36 next July and is aware that he is unlikely to command his current salary at Liverpool elsewhere. A free transfer would attract considerable interest, although the Netherlands defender could choose to prioritise a club he admired during his childhood.
In an interview with Sky Sports in June 2024, Van Dijk spoke about his admiration for AC Milan’s former defensive greats Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini.
“I liked both Nesta and Maldini. That Milan team was different. When you talk about Nesta, you talk about elegance; he always made everything look so easy. Watching Alessandro (Nesta) play was like watching Roger Federer play tennis. Players like him showed us defenders the way forward, and I have great respect for him and for all the other defenders in that Milan team that won in Europe. I learned a lot from each of them. Everyone has their own opinion, but for me, Nesta is the greatest defender in Italian history,” he said.
Van Dijk also explained which clubs he followed as a young supporter.
“Which team did I support as a child? I supported Barcelona, but I would watch Milan’s Champions League matches, and also Real Madrid and Liverpool’s matches. Playing for the Reds was a dream come true for me.”
For now, there is no concrete agreement or proposal linking Van Dijk with AC Milan. The story remains transfer speculation, although his latest comments about his future have renewed the club’s interest in the possibility of signing him.
