Liverpool transfers: Fabrizio Romano offers BIG Van Dijk update amid Dortmund links

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been the subject of recent transfer speculation amid uncertainty over his long-term Anfield future. 

It was reported last week that Bayern Munich were interested in signing the 32-year-old this summer, with mega-rich Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah also mentioned as a potential destination. 

Van Dijk is out of contract in 2025 and turns 33 this summer, leading to rumours that his hugely successful spell on Merseyside could be coming to an end. 

Borussia Dortmund were another team linked with the Netherlands captain in recent days with senior centre back Mats Hummels set to retire at the end of the season. 

And while the links in that context make sense, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claims Dortmund’s transfer priorities lie elsewhere this summer. 

Jadon Sancho, player of the match in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain last week, is on loan at Signal Iduna Park and Dortmund would like to make a deal permanent. 

Ian Maatsen, meanwhile, is on loan from Chelsea and has made a big impact since moving to the Bundesliga side. They are also keen on making the Dutchman’s deal permanent at the end of the season. 

Van Dijk to Dortmund 'is NOT happening' says Romano

That would leave very little budget for Van Dijk, with Romano confirming that a deal was NOT something Dortmund are currently considering. 

"There have been reports in Germany in the last few days about Virgil van Dijk possibly going to Borussia Dortmund, but from what I’m hearing from sources this is not true,” he wrote in his Daily Briefing. 

“My understanding is that Dortmund are focusing on different names - they will try to keep Jadon Sancho and Ian Maatsen, but Van Dijk links are not something real or concrete at this point. Contacts are not taking place, it’s not happening."

Van Dijk threw his Liverpool future into doubt back in January when he said he was ‘curious’ to see how his club replaced Jurgen Klopp and offered no guarantees that he would be around to see a rebuild. 

However, he later rowed back those comments, stating that they had been taken ‘out of context’. 

Liverpool have been linked with centre back signings in the shape of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Willian Pacho and Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio with Joel Matip leaving on a free transfer and Joe Gomez now considering leaving Anfield.

Incoming sporting director Richard Hughes will have decisions to make over Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contracts all expire next year.