Real Madrid will NOT sign Virgil van Dijk if he leaves Liverpool as a free agent.
Van Dijk, 33, is out of contract at Anfield, allowing him to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club. The Liverpool captain is not alone, as teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah have also entered the final six months of their contracts.
Reports from Spain this week claimed that Van Dijk's agent had offered his services to Real Madrid, who made a controversial New Year's bid for Alexander-Arnold. But the Champions League holders are said to have turned down the opportunity as their focus was elsewhere.
Now an official spokesperson for Real Madrid has told 365scores: “The talk about Real Madrid's desire to sign Liverpool player Van Dijk is incorrect.
“Van Dijk is not part of our contractual plans and we have not sent an official offer to Liverpool regarding negotiations with Van Dijk. The player has not been offered to our club by the players' agents and if that happens it will be through our official team channels.”
Although Van Dijk has previously said he would like to extend his contract with Liverpool, the defender revealed after Sunday's 2-2 draw against Manchester United: “I don't think [there will be an update soon] but I'm calm about it, as I said months ago. We'll see what happens in the future and right now I have absolutely no update.
“Right now it's all about me and the team focusing on Spurs [on Wednesday]. It will be another tough match, but a good one [Carabao Cup] semi-final.”
Van Dijk's future is the least discussed of Liverpool's out-of-contract trio, with Alexander-Arnold's situation put in the spotlight ahead of the game against United. “I'm doing well [speculation]Van Dijk added.
“Trent has his own people around him, his family and we are there too. He wants to perform as best as he can, like we all do. That is the main focus. Maybe ask him, that is the distraction.” …the game.”
Van Dijk was praised by Liveprool legend Jamie Carragher on Monday for his statesmanlike approach when asked about his future. Salah has been outspoken about the negotiations, while Carragher believes Alexander-Arnold's camp has given Real Madrid the green light to make a bid.
“I would say Virgil van Dijk has come out of this whole situation this season as captain of the club with a higher profile,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “The way he behaved, his performance on the pitch, the way he led the team, the way he was yesterday, and he's not involved too much in this.
“It's obviously a very important time for all three players, we know that, but I think instead of talking about Trent Alexander-Arnold or Mo Salah, I probably want to pay tribute to Virgil van Dijk. I think he comes across as a true statesman, because of the way he deals with it.
“He's been asked questions, he's thrown it away, he's here to win the league, he wants to do his very best for Liverpool and fingers crossed he signs. I think the other two might go to Virgil van Dijk look and be able to take a leaf out.” of his book.”
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