Liverpool may have accepted Van Dijk fate as transfer news emerges
Liverpool may be preparing to soften the blow of Virgil Van Dijk’s summer exit as they set their sights on a new defender ahead of the summer transfer window.
Van Dijk has provided the Reds with exemplary service since joining from fellow Premier League outfit Southampton back in January 2018, but his contract at Anfield is set to expire at the end of the season.
Since joining the Merseyside giants over seven years ago, the centre-back has made over 300 Liverpool appearances and has won one FA Cup, one Premier League title, one Champions League and two EFL Cups in the process.
He has proven himself as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever captains and has established a reputation as one of the best defenders in the Premier League era.
But despite all that, the upcoming summer could witness his Anfield exit, while Arne Slot and co have already eyed up a potential replacement.
Liverpool set their sights on Wolfsburg defender
It appears as though Liverpool are looking to utilise the Bundesliga market come the end of the season amid their efforts to sign a Van Dijk replacement.
Acquiring players from the top-flight of German football has proven fruitful for the Reds in recent years, as centre-back Ibrahima Konate has been a real asset for the club since joining from RB Leipzig back in 2021.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are now interested in signing Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis according to Caught Offside.
| Konstantinos Koulierakis stats | 2024/25 Bundesliga |
| Appearances | 22 |
| Starts | 20 |
| Tackles won | 17 |
| Duels won | 90 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 2 |
Setting their sights on the 21-year-old, who still boasts bags of potential, could show that the Reds are plotting a long-term plan to replace Van Dijk’s services.
However, as per Caught Offside’s report, Slot and co may not have it easy as they look to land Koulierakis’ services, thanks to rival interest from the likes of Champions League holders Real Madrid and fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.
Liverpool are set for a summer of change
Liverpool’s interest in Koulierakis shows that they are gearing themselves up for Van Dijk’s increasingly inevitable Anfield departure.
But the Netherlands star is not the only Reds hero who could be waving goodbye to Merseyside at the end of the season, as talisman Mohamed Salah and exceptionally gifted right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could also be leaving the club.
Like the Dutchman, neither Salah nor Alexander-Arnold have agreed a deal which will keep them at Liverpool beyond the end of the current campaign.
For now, though, Reds supporters will be thrilled by the fact that their side hold a whopping 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, and are marching towards their first top-flight title since 2020.
Furthermore, Liverpool are still in contention to win the Champions League, albeit they have a tricky task in navigating their way past Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.