Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool exit is no longer the inevitability it was starting to look like. Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider reports that the captain’s early-season performances under Andoni Iraola have persuaded the club to leave the door open to an extension, rather than let the deal run out next summer.
Nothing is confirmed, and the quotes come from the correspondent rather than from the club. O’Rourke says sources inside Anfield have signalled that the final call is largely in Van Dijk’s hands.
“If he continues to perform well for Liverpool there’s every chance that he could get a new deal.”
“Van Dijk is probably the master of his own destiny here.”
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The current contract was signed in April 2025 and runs out in the summer of 2027. From 1 January 2027, Van Dijk will be free to agree a pre-contract with any club outside England.
Talks pushed to the spring
Last month, O’Rourke reported for Football Insider that Liverpool had chosen to postpone formal negotiations until closer to the end of the season. On the same podcast, he put the state of play in blunt terms.
“There’s no decision made either way really on Virgil van Dijk’s long-term future at Liverpool as things stand.”
A decision is not expected before April. The club want a longer look at a defender who will turn 36 next summer, under a head coach they have only just appointed. Iraola took over on a two-year deal on 4 June 2026, succeeding Arne Slot.
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Van Dijk stays out of the speculation
The captain has kept his own counsel. After Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth on 20 September, he was asked by the BBC’s Aadam Patel whether talks had begun.
“No, I am just focusing on the present. There is nothing to report on that.”
On the transition under Iraola he added: “Any manager that comes to a new environment and a new club needs a bit of time, and the same goes with players.”
Juventus and Real Madrid monitoring
Two of Europe’s biggest clubs are watching. According to footballtransfers.com, Gazzetta dello Sport has placed Juventus in the market as they look to strengthen their defence, and Mundo Deportivo reports that Real Madrid see Van Dijk as a possible free transfer in 2027.
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O’Rourke acknowledged the obvious draw for other clubs even at this stage of Van Dijk’s career.
“He’s still an attractive player.”
If Liverpool do wait until April, Van Dijk will by then already be entitled to speak freely with foreign suitors. The next formal checkpoint on his future is the end of the season.
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