Virgil van Dijk favours MLS free transfer as Liverpool line up move for €60m-rated Borussia Dortmund centre-back

Virgil van Dijk (33) is increasingly leaning towards a Liverpool exit as his contract expires in June, according to Sacha Tavolieri. The Dutch centre-back reportedly feels his time is up with the Merseyside giants. Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in a record-setting €84m transfer during the 2018 winter transfer window. He went on to establish himself as one of the finest centre-backs in the Premier League era.

Van Dijk reportedly envisions one final gig at a foreign club before hanging up his boots for good. As reported by L’Equipe, the Netherlands skipper has a lucrative €20m per year offer on the table from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. Van Dijk would rather favour a move across the Atlantic and into the MLS. Tavolieri adds that Van Dijk’s close friend – Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne – is also planning to join America’s first-tier on a free transfer next June.

In the aftermath of Liverpool’s exit from the Champions League at the expense of PSG, Van Dijk was seen in conversation with Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Sporting advisor Luis Campos. Tavolieri understands that no further discussion took place between PSG and Van Dijk, although the Dutch international might have used the moment to hint about his upcoming availability in the summer. As for a contract renewal, no deal seems to be on the horizon between the Liverpool owners and the 2019 UEFA Player of the Year.

With Van Dijk heading towards the exit and Ibrahima Konaté’s future up in the air, Liverpool have added Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck to their wishlist. The 25-year-old Germany international is tied with the Schwarlzgelben over a contract set to expire in 2027. BVB have reportedly set a €60m asking price on Schlotterbeck, but LFC feel they can reach an agreement over a transfer fee near the €50m mark.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval