Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk decision sees 'gutted' club chiefs miss out on transfer pitch
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SportFootballLiverpool FC transfer newsA club interested in signing Virgil van Dijk were left bitterly disappointedVirgil van Dijk’s absence from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of America left Chicago Fire bosses gutted as they're reportedly hoping to sign him next summer.The third and final leg of Liverpool’s US tour this summer saw them take on Leeds United in Chicago, Illinois, where the Reds suffered a 4-2 defeat on Sunday.Andoni Iraola’s men played the fixture at Soldier Field, home to Chicago Fire, having also trained at the MLS side’s performance centre. However, club captain Van Dijk was a notable omission from the entire trip to the States.That’s because he was granted an extended summer break by Liverpool following his campaign with the Netherlands at the World Cup, meaning he was excused from travelling with the rest of the squad.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!
All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageBut the 35-year-old’s absence is said to have left Chicago Fire staff disappointed. The Mail reports that the Fire have lined up Van Dijk as a potential future signing.His current deal expires next summer, and from January he can sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of England to sign as a free agent at the end of the season.
Liverpool refused to listen to offers for their legendary defender this summer, even at the risk of potentially losing him for free this time next year, given how important his leadership and experience is to Iraola’s youthful backline.It is uncertain whether Van Dijk will be offered a new contract at all throughout the upcoming season by the Reds hierarchy. According to La Gazetta dello Sport, after realising a deal would be impossible this summer, the likes of AC Milan are already hoping to sign the centre-back as a free agent in a year's time.Van Dijk has been training at the AXA Training Centre since last week, with Liverpool's main squad joining up with him and Cody Gakpo following their Merseyside return early this week, after the conclusion of their US tour.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCLiverpool FC transfer newsVirgil van DijkBarclay's Premier League