Report Van Dijk ‘will join Milan sooner or later’ as free agent from Liverpool in 2027

Virgil van Dijk 'will come to Milan sooner or later,' insists journalist Carlo Pellegatti, after the Dutch defender opted to remain at Liverpool this summer.

The centre-back had been on the verge of walking away from Anfield several months ago , with a contract due to expire at the end of this season.

LEEDS, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road on December 06, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

It was reported that he would favour a move to San Siro and had agreed personal terms with the Rossoneri, but he ultimately chose to stay on as captain of the Reds after a difficult campaign.

Now aged 35, Van Dijk is still on the radar for coach Ruben Amorim.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale competes for the ball with Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

"Every now and then, people make fun of me for saying Van Dijk would join, but then they had done the same the January before Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived," declared Milan pundit Pellegatti on his YouTube channel.

"I continue to say that Gerry Cardinale made clear: 'Either we get him now by paying or next year for free.' I said that Van Dijk will arrive at Milan sooner or later.

"We'll see if Cardinale changes his mind or not, but I can assure you it was not just a name I pulled out of thin air."

TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Gerry Cardinale, President of AC Milan , looks on before the Serie A match between Torino FC and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on August 23, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Liverpool paid €85m to buy Van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018 and he went on to become a genuine icon for the club.

He has amassed 380 competitive appearances for the side, scoring 36 goals from defence and contributing 16 goals.

This allowed him to win two Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy, the European Supercup, Club World Cup, FA Cup and two EFL Cups.