Real Madrid could look to sign Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk on a free transfer this summer, according to former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown.
The Dutchman has been magnificent for the Reds this season, captaining his side superbly and retaining his status as the finest centre-back on the planet.
There is understandable worry regarding Van Dijk’s future, however, considering the 33-year-old is well into the final year of his contract and still hasn’t signed an extension.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is in the same boat and has been linked with a move to Madrid, but speaking to Football Insider, Brown said that Van Dijk could head there, too.
“I’m surprised Liverpool haven’t made progress towards a new contract,” Brown said.
“He’s one of the best centre-halves in the world. There is the looming figure of Real Madrid, which keeps coming up in these conversations.
“Their centre-backs have struggled with injuries this season, they’ve been short of options and a few of them are coming towards the end of their time there.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Real Madrid went in for Van Dijk on a free. They’ve been linked with Trent Alexander-Arnold, and they’ve been keeping tabs on Van Dijk too.
“When players like that become available on a free, Real Madrid are usually one of the first teams to come forward, and they could do so again here.”
Liverpool’s most important player to keep?
Liverpool have indispensable figures all over the pitch, including Alisson, Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, but Van Dijk remains the first name on Arne Slot’s team sheet.
He is the player who is inspiring the Reds’ Premier League title surge the most – Salah is a very close second – and losing him this summer doesn’t bear thinking about.
Van Dijk is the player Liverpool most need to keep this summer, which is no slight on anyone else, and the hope is that he has no interest in a potential switch to Madrid.
If the towering Dutchman does leave, it would leave a gaping void at the heart of the Reds’ defence, with few centre-backs in the history of the game superior to him.