Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been tipped to join AC Milan on a free transfer in 2027, with Tottenham Hotspur speedster Micky van de Ven reportedly identified as a potential successor.
Van Dijk’s contract expires at the end of the season and Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti continues to insist the 35-year-old could move to the San Siro.
Pellegatti claims Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has considered signing the defender immediately for a fee or waiting until his Liverpool deal expires.
However, no agreement has been announced and the claim remains unconfirmed transfer speculation.
Van Dijk tipped to join AC Milan
Pellegatti compared the situation to the scepticism that surrounded Zlatan Ibrahimović’s return to Milan before the Swedish striker eventually rejoined the club in 2020.
“I said that Van Dijk will arrive at Milan sooner or later,” Pellegatti said, maintaining that the story was based on information rather than guesswork.
Milan have reportedly explored the possibility of signing Van Dijk before, but securing his services would still require an agreement over wages and his willingness to leave Liverpool.
The Netherlands captain remains an important figure at Anfield, although Liverpool have reportedly begun preparing for the possibility of losing him.
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson left during the summer, following earlier departures by other influential members of Liverpool’s successful modern-era side, including Sadio Mané and Jordan Henderson.
Van Dijk’s potential exit would therefore represent another major changing of the guard at the club.
Liverpool monitor Van de Ven as successor
CaughtOffside reports that Liverpool and Manchester United are closely monitoring Van de Ven, although neither club appears to have opened formal negotiations with Tottenham.
Liverpool’s interest is described as particularly significant because the club view the 25-year-old as a possible long-term replacement for his Netherlands teammate.
Van de Ven’s exceptional pace, left-footed distribution and ability to defend in open spaces would make him well suited to Liverpool’s aggressive defensive system under Andoni Iraola.
Any deal would nevertheless be extremely difficult. Van de Ven signed a new long-term Tottenham contract in August and was subsequently appointed the club’s captain.
Reports have placed Tottenham’s potential valuation between £80million and £90m, while there is no indication that his new agreement contains a release clause.
Van de Ven also said Tottenham felt like home after extending his stay and expressed confidence in the club’s direction under Roberto De Zerbi.
Spurs are consequently under no pressure to sell and would be able to demand a substantial fee if Liverpool formalised their interest.
Ward faces difficult Tchouaméni pursuit
Liverpool’s recruitment plans will be overseen by Julian Ward, who returned as sporting director following Richard Hughes’s departure.
Ward was involved in Liverpool’s previous attempt to sign Aurélien Tchouaméni before the France midfielder joined Real Madrid from Monaco in 2022.
Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke claims Tchouaméni remains on Liverpool’s radar but believes another pursuit would be extremely difficult after the midfielder reportedly extended his Madrid contract
