​Liverpool’s squad is likely to look markedly different by the time the 2026-27 season arrives. Since Victor Muñoz arrived, transfer chatter from Anfield has subsided, with several journalists suggesting the Reds don’t need to bring in numerous more players. Yet the reality remains that Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson have departed, leaving a number of holes that must be filled. The fact that there wasn’t a replacement for Luis Díaz last summer only amplifies the sense that there is still substantial work to be done.
With exits on the agenda, the situation is worrying, especially when one of Liverpool’s standout performers is being placed under the spotlight. Virgil van Dijk remains among the most important players for the club, even though he is now 35. The Dutchman has been Liverpool’s best defender in recent years, and while the team might have endured more adversity last season without him, it would certainly not have been easier. Now, as he enters the final year of his contract, speculation about his future is likely to persist for much of the season. However, given that Liverpool currently field only four senior centre-backs, you wouldn’t expect the club to be eager to sell one of them—unless, of course, there is a credible update worth considering.
That update comes from the Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, which claims Richard Hughes is prepared to initiate talks about a potential exit for van Dijk. The publication writes: “Now we are working on Van Dijk, a great idea of Ibra. Complicated operation, very difficult, but not impossible.” They suggest the biggest hurdle could be around a transfer fee of about fifteen million euros, which Milan reportedly finds unthinkable for a player of van Dijk’s stature at 34, despite the potential for him to provide the leadership Milan has long craved. The piece states that Liverpool is ready to sit down and follow the developments, outlining a plan for how to spread the engagement.
Even if Liverpool did pursue two new centre-backs to attempt to replace van Dijk, the impact would still fall short of what the Dutchman brings. He is the club captain and, with two younger centre-backs in the ranks, his experience would be invaluable in getting the best out of them. Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are undoubtedly talented, but neither has Premier League experience yet, which would mark a significant step up and a true test for their development.
If a substantial transfer fee could be secured for van Dijk, a move might make financial sense. Yet with him at 35 and only a year left on his contract, AC Milan would likely seek to sign him for a relatively modest fee. It is a scenario reminiscent of the tactics used by rivals such as Inter Milan, who have also considered restructuring their defensive options. The unfolding discussions may influence Liverpool’s broader strategy, including how aggressively they pursue new defensive reinforcements in the near term. In the end, van Dijk’s future remains one of the pivotal questions for the club as they navigate this transitional period, balancing the need for fresh blood with the value of a proven leader at the heart of the defense.