Liverpool star “fought until the last minute” to join Real Madrid in the summer…

Liverpool star “struggled until the very end” to join Real Madrid during the summer.

In an unexpected turn of events, Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk allegedly made a significant effort to transfer to Real Madrid last summer before ultimately renewing his contract at Anfield, as reported by Diario AS.

This narrative emerged on the same day that the two European powerhouses faced off in the UEFA Champions League, adding further intrigue to an already intense matchup.

The Spanish publication asserts that Van Dijk and his agents “struggled until the very end” to facilitate a move to the Santiago Bernabéu.

Van Dijk reached out to Real Madrid to join them

His representatives reportedly contacted intermediaries in Spain to establish direct communication with Real Madrid’s management, aiming to investigate the possibility of a transfer.

However, this initiative was met with a tepid reaction from the Madrid side, who chose not to pursue the Dutch defender and instead concentrated on younger options.

At that moment, Van Dijk had not yet committed to an extension. This uncertainty is said to have intensified speculation that the Dutchman might seek a new challenge abroad following his success with Liverpool in England.

In the end, Real Madrid decided to take a different path, investing in youth by acquiring Dean Huijsen and placing their trust in Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba.

Liverpool captain ended up signing a new deal

Meanwhile, Van Dijk demonstrated his commitment to Liverpool by signing a contract extension in the summer, prolonging his tenure with the Merseyside club.

Since that time, the Dutch international has continued to guide Liverpool both on and off the field.

With Real Madrid visiting Anfield for a crucial Champions League encounter, the timing of this report has reignited conversations about what could have transpired.

While Madrid opted for other targets, Van Dijk’s lasting impact at Liverpool indicates that, for the moment, both clubs have few regrets regarding how the situation unfolded.