FOOTBALL fans believe they have worked out the club Virgil van Dijk will join if he leaves Liverpool.
Speculation surrounding the Dutch defender’s future ramped up on Monday after he refused to commit to a post-Jurgen Klopp era.
Following Klopp’s announcement that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, Van Dijk, 32, was questioned as to whether he will remain at the club following the German head coach’s departure.
To which he replied: “That’s a big question. I don’t know. The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known.
“To replace not only the manager but the whole staff and there are so many things that will change.
“I’m very curious which direction that will go in, but when that will be announced we will see our situation.”
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And with his contract up at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, fans are now pointing to THREE reasons why Van Dijk will sign for Barcelona.
Firstly, the centre-back, who joined Liverpool for £75million in 2018, named the Nou Camp as his favourite away ground back in 2022.
Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, he said: “I would say Camp Nou, Barcelona [is my favourite away stadium].
“Obviously, for myself, watching a lot of Barcelona games when I was younger and then being able to play in it [was amazing].
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“With Celtic the first time, we got beat 6-1, which was tough, but to be able to play there was a big one.
“I really enjoyed playing there. [The pitch is] massive. It’s incredible. It’s absolutely insane.”
Secondly, in the same interview, he then named Barcelona icon Ronaldinho as his footballing idol.
He added: “It’s just the way that he was, especially after the second season that he joined Barcelona.
“He was the difference-maker, you know? He was the one that everybody was looking to see, and his goals, his tricks and his flair.
“Obviously, you [Neville] played against him a couple of times, and at that point, he was the best player in the world.
“He definitely inspired me in different ways because I’m not a striker, but he influenced who I am today.”
And thirdly, Van Dijk further illustrated his love for Barcelona last month when he included Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Brazilian icon Ronaldo in his dream five-a-side team.
Van Dijk has played 246 games for Liverpool, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Club World Cup.
Triple exit
VVD is not the only player whose future is a concern following Klopp’s announcement.
It’s understood that a bid from Saudi Arabia for Mohamed Salah is expected this summer.
The Egyptian was linked with a mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League last summer.
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Alisson is also said to be on the sights of the oil-rich nation.
The goalkeeper has been an essential cog in the Klopp trophy-winning machine.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
