Van Dijk set for free transfer to Milan as Liverpool target Van de Ven to fill void

Virgil van Dijk is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer next summer and join AC Milan, according to veteran Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti, with the Reds already identifying Tottenham Hotspur captain Micky van de Ven as his successor.

Van Dijk, 33, has spent nine years at Anfield since becoming the world’s most expensive defender when he moved from Southampton in January 2018. Now 35, his current contract expires at the end of the season, and Pellegatti — citing Milan owner Gerry Cardinale’s long-standing interest — claims the move is a matter of when, not if. “I said that Van Dijk will arrive at Milan sooner or later,” Pellegatti said, referencing Cardinale’s earlier stance: “Either we get him now by paying or next year for free.”

Despite his age, Van Dijk has started the 2024-25 campaign in strong form under new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, partnering summer signing Jeremy Jacquet — 14 years his junior — in central defence.

With a succession plan already in motion, CaughtOffside reports that Liverpool are monitoring Van de Ven as the primary candidate to fill the void. FourFourTwo understands the club have admired the 25-year-old for some time. The Dutch international plays alongside Van Dijk for the Netherlands national side under new manager Xavi Hernandez and offers a profile that suits Iraola’s high-press system — combining aerial ability with the kind of elite recovery pace the style demands. He can also operate at left-back, a position that has caused Liverpool problems in recent seasons.

Prying Van de Ven away from Tottenham will not be straightforward. The former Wolfsburg defender signed a contract extension over the summer that runs until 2031, and Transfermarkt values him at €50 million. Manchester United are also credited with interest by CaughtOffside, adding further competition for his signature.

Spurs’ struggles this season — winless after five Premier League fixtures and sitting in the bottom half — could yet influence Van de Ven’s thinking when the summer window opens, but Tottenham will be under no financial pressure to sell given the length of his deal.