Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has admitted Virgil van Dijk may be tempted by the prospect of a free transfer to Real Madrid next summer. Van Dijk is inside the final term of a two-year extension he signed in April 2025 and confirmed after the 1-0 win at Bournemouth on September 20 that the club have yet to approach him over a new deal.
Van Dijk's contract situation
The Liverpool and Netherlands captain is understood to be relaxed about the situation as things stand, but the 35-year-old has been speculatively linked with an end-of-season switch to Real Madrid. Heskey, who made 223 appearances for the Reds between 2000 and 2004, thinks potential interest from the Spanish capital might see Van Dijk's 'head turned'.
"Virgil van Dijk, he is coming to the end of his contract at Liverpool, but we've got to remember that when certain clubs come calling they turn your head whether you’re under contract or not, and Real Madrid is one of them," Heskey told Casinolyze. "So I'd be surprised if his head's not turned. The only thing is that Liverpool letting another big star go at the end of their contract doesn't sit well with me.
Heskey's warning on losing Van Dijk
"And it won’t [sit well] with the fans either because despite his age he still has value. That’s something that Van Dijk has to consider given his status at Liverpool."
Heskey, who won six trophies at Anfield, also tipped vice-captain Dominik Szoboszlai to eventually take the armband permanently, adding: "Dominik Szoboszlai is a future Liverpool captain. As someone who's a leader and takes control, you've got to start looking at that and try to nail him down as the number one priority.
Szoboszlai tipped as future captain
"Not just for that, but you can also use him as a tool to attract players. He's a fantastic player, a great individual, and a great leader, or at least looks like one from the outside. You can use players like that to entice others. Keeping Szoboszlai is vital."
