Liverpool braced for sensational Virgil van Dijk transfer offer next week

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Liverpool may soon be fielding transfer interest in Virgil van Dijk, according to reports, as one club looks to prize him away from Anfield a year before his contract expiresVirgil van Dijk is away at the World Cup, but Liverpool may still need to brace for a transfer approach.(Image: ANP via Getty Images)For Virgil van Dijk, all focus will be on leading his nation to World Cup success over the next month. Van Dijk is out of contract next year, by which time he will be turning 36, but one more campaign (at least) will certainly be the desire at Anfield.There is excitement about the return of Giovanni Leoni from injury, and Jeremy Jacquet is also set to formally complete his move to Liverpool this summer, giving Andoni Iraola some very promising central defensive options for the future.

All things considered, someone making a play for Van Dijk is the last thing Liverpool needs.But it may have to brace for potential activity next week. Summarizing a number of other reports, Sport Witness says that Galatasaray would be prepared to match Van Dijk's Liverpool salary, and that talks have accelerated amid an indication of openness from the player himself.Virgil van Dijk faced Galatasaray in the Champions League this season.

Despite Liverpool's struggles, the captain remained a key name on the team sheet, and can still claim to be one of the stars of the division.There is renewed optimism following the appointment of Iraola, and Van Dijk must be intrigued about how he fits into the Spaniard's plans. At the very least, one would assume that he will want to have that conversation before calling time on his Liverpool career prematurely.Van Dijk lifting the Premier League trophy.