Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has become the subject of growing transfer rumours as he approaches the final year of his contract on Merseyside. The Dutch international is reportedly attracting firm interest from Serie A powerhouse AC Milan as part of the Reds’ broader squad rebuild under new head coach Andoni Iraola.

Milan’s interest in Van Dijk has sparked speculation that the 32-year-old could soon be turning out at the San Siro alongside Christian Pulisic and Luka Modric. Reports from Italy suggest that new Milan manager Amorim has identified the Dutch defender as a key target to strengthen their defensive ranks. A move of this magnitude would have seemed unimaginable just a year ago, but the situation at Anfield has changed significantly in recent months.

Despite the speculation, reports from the Liverpool Echo have dismissed the rumours linking Van Dijk with Milan and Turkish club Fenerbahce, asserting that Liverpool are planning for the upcoming campaign with their skipper firmly in place. However, following the departures of Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot in quick succession, the club is clearly in transition. With senior players such as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson having already departed, Van Dijk remains one of the few stalwarts of the previous era and is expected to play a key role in guiding Iraola’s new-look side.

Adding to Liverpool’s defensive concerns is Joe Gomez’s uncertain future. The longest-serving player at the club has admitted that he is unsure where he will be playing next season. Speaking in May, Gomez said: “I don’t know [what is next] is the honest answer. I’ve only got a year left on my contract, so I don’t know.”

Gomez was close to leaving last summer as part of Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi, and with Ibrahima Konate having already joined Real Madrid, losing both Gomez and Van Dijk could leave Iraola’s defence severely depleted. At present, the Reds are relying on young defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni to provide backup in central defence.

The uncertainty doesn’t end there, as the club’s midfield is also expected to undergo major changes. Curtis Jones is entering the final year of his contract and has reportedly attracted attention from Inter Milan. Liverpool are said to value the academy graduate at around £35 million, though Inter’s initial offer of £22 million fell short. No new contract discussions are believed to be on the horizon for the midfielder at this stage.

Wataru Endo, another experienced squad member, could also be nearing the end of his time at Anfield. The Japanese international, who arrived from Stuttgart in 2023 for £16 million, is also entering the final 12 months of his deal.

Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott’s situation is one to watch closely ahead of the new season. After a loan spell at Aston Villa where he struggled for consistent game time, the young English midfielder has returned to Liverpool with his future unresolved. Earlier interest from RB Leipzig prompted Liverpool to place a £50 million valuation on the England U21 star, though his limited playing time under Unai Emery may have affected that price tag.