Virgil van Dijk Wants Barcelona Move as Free Agent, Report Says
Liverpool captain's deal expires in June 2027, but Hansi Flick is reportedly unconvinced by the 35-year-old and prefers younger centre-backs like Bastoni.
El Nacional reports that Virgil van Dijk is interested in joining Barcelona as a free agent next summer. The Liverpool captain's contract runs out in June 2027, so a transfer would carry no fee.
The 35-year-old has offered his services to Barcelona, which is looking for a centre-back, the outlet writes. El Nacional attributes the information to The Independent. Neither report includes a comment from the player or from either club.
"Van Dijk would bring leadership and authority to Barcelona's dressing room, and despite his age he still performs at a high level. On top of that, there's no fee, which makes it attractive," the El Nacional piece says.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is not convinced, by all accounts. Van Dijk will be 36 next season and would need time to adapt. His arrival could also slow the progress of young players from the club's own system, Gerard Martín among them.
Flick would rather look at younger options, El Nacional says, and names Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Van Dijk has been at Liverpool since 2018. This season he has played six matches in all competitions without a goal or an assist.
If Flick's reservations hold, the story may end with the rumour. If Van Dijk does run his contract down, Liverpool would lose their captain without a fee.
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