Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been linked in transfer speculation with a potential move to Italian giants AC Milan. Speculation surrounding the Dutch defender’s long-term future has intensified as he approaches the final stages of his current contract with the Merseyside club.
According to prominent Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti, the central defender remains on the radar of the Rossoneri. While Van Dijk had the opportunity to complete a transfer to San Siro during a previous window, he ultimately chose to remain with the Reds.
However, Milan’s ownership has expressed confidence about securing his signature. Pellegatti noted that club owner Gerry Cardinale previously outlined a stance regarding the player, indicating that the Italian side could pursue him either via a paid transfer or as a free agent once his contract expires.
“Every now and then, people make fun of me for saying Van Dijk would join, but then they had done the same the January before Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived,” Pellegatti stated via Football Italia. “I continue to say that Gerry Cardinale made clear: ‘Either we get him now by paying or next year for free.’ I said that Van Dijk will arrive at Milan sooner or later.”
The potential departure comes as Liverpool undergoes a broader squad transition under recent managerial shifts. With the defender’s age advancing, the Premier League club faces critical decisions regarding whether to offer a short-term contract extension on high wages or allow him to leave on a free transfer.
Despite ongoing speculation about his next career chapter, Van Dijk continues to play a vital leadership role at the heart of Liverpool’s defense. Whether a move to Serie A materializes next summer or later, the veteran center-back’s future remains one of the most closely watched stories in European football.
