Galatasaray Targets Virgil van Dijk for Last Big Contract
Galatasaray have set their sights on one of the biggest defensive names in European football: Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
According to Turkish outlet Fotomaç, the Istanbul giants are preparing an ambitious push to lure the Dutch centre-back to the Super Lig and are ready to match his current net salary of €11m per year. They are waiting for what is described as a “green light” before turning interest into a formal move.
A statement signing in mind
Galatasaray have already started mapping out their squad for next season, and the defensive line is at the heart of that plan. Van Dijk is the marquee target, identified as a potential replacement for one of Davinson Sanchez or Abdülkerim Bardakcı.
For club president Dursun Özbek, the 34-year-old is more than a transfer option; he is described as a dream signing. The belief inside the club is that a deal is possible, and Özbek is expected to be “closely involved” in any talks.
Van Dijk has one year remaining on his contract at Anfield. With Arne Slot arriving to reshape Liverpool, the defender is said to be weighing up his future, particularly if there is any risk of losing his guaranteed starting role next season. At this stage of his career, he knows the next agreement will likely be the last major contract he signs.
Galatasaray intend to move quickly once they receive encouragement from the player’s side. If Van Dijk signals he is open to the switch, the Turkish club plan to act “immediately” once the season ends.
Turkish confidence meets Liverpool reality
In Türkiye, there is growing optimism. Reports there suggest Van Dijk is open to the idea of playing for Galatasaray, having faced them in the Champions League this season and come away impressed by the club and atmosphere.
The financial side would be no small commitment. Matching his reported €11m net annual salary at Liverpool would put Van Dijk at the very top of Galatasaray’s wage structure, underlining how serious they are about the move.
Yet the scale of the deal raises obvious questions from the Liverpool perspective. The club already face the prospect of a turbulent summer, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson expected to depart and uncertainty also surrounding Alisson. Letting their captain and defensive leader go in the same window would be a seismic call.
There is another key assumption underpinning the Turkish reports: that Van Dijk could lose his place under Slot next season. Even at 34, that would require a dramatic shift in Liverpool’s hierarchy or a deliberate move towards a radically different defensive profile.
Dream or genuine possibility?
None of this makes the transfer impossible. Players of Van Dijk’s stature do occasionally choose a new stage late in their careers, and Galatasaray have a long history of tempting big names to Istanbul.
But the story fits a familiar pattern of Turkish optimism when it comes to landing elite European stars. The numbers are heavy, the timing is delicate, and Liverpool’s looming rebuild complicates everything.
For now, Galatasaray are waiting, hopeful and ready. The next move belongs to Virgil van Dijk – and to Liverpool’s new era under Arne Slot.
