Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reportedly pushed hard for a move to Real Madrid last summer before eventually committing his future to Anfield, according to Diario AS.
The report resurfaced on the same day Liverpool and Real Madrid meet in the Champions League, adding extra drama to the already high-profile matchup. The Spanish publication claims that Van Dijk and his team “tried until the very last moment” to secure a transfer to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Van Dijk made an attempt to join Real Madrid
His representatives allegedly contacted intermediaries in Spain in an effort to open talks with Real Madrid’s decision-makers and gauge the possibility of a transfer.
However, Real Madrid were reportedly not overly interested and decided against pursuing the Liverpool centre-back, choosing instead to prioritize younger defensive options.
At that point, Van Dijk had not yet agreed to renew his contract, which fueled rumours that he might be considering a fresh challenge after years of success in the Premier League.
Real Madrid ultimately went in another direction, focusing on youth signings such as Dean Huijsen, while maintaining confidence in Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba.
Van Dijk stayed and signed an extension
Van Dijk eventually committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract over the summer, solidifying his place at the club.
Since then, the Dutch defender has continued to lead by example both on and off the field. With Real Madrid now arriving at Anfield for a crucial Champions League fixture, the timing of the report has reignited speculation about how differently things could have turned out.
Despite the missed opportunity, both clubs appear satisfied with the paths they chose.
Leave a Reply