Virgil van Dijk ‘gives initial approval’ to Besiktas move as Liverpool open to sale

Besiktas have made a shock move for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutch defender reported to have given initial approval to a transfer that could become one of the most high‐profile signings in Turkish football in recent years.

The Istanbul club are understood to be in advanced talks with the 34-year-old centre-back, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik, as they look to strengthen their squad with a marquee name from the Premier League.

Van Dijk, whose contract at Anfield runs until June 2027, has become the subject of intense speculation over his future following the Netherlands’ elimination in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup. Multiple reports suggest Liverpool are prepared to sanction his departure this summer if what they consider a suitable offer arrives.

Besiktas step up pursuit of Liverpool captain

Fanatik reports that Besiktas have placed Van Dijk at the top of their transfer priorities during the current window, as part of a wider push to attract leading European stars to the Turkish Super Lig.

The Istanbul giants have also been linked in recent weeks with a bold move for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, underlining the club’s ambition to reshape their squad around established international names.

According to the Turkish report, Van Dijk has given a preliminary “yes” to the prospect of joining Besiktas, with the club’s hierarchy now inviting his agent to Istanbul to continue talks and attempt to finalise key details of the deal.

The discussions are believed to centre on the financial framework of the transfer, including salary, bonuses and contract length.

Salary demands and Liverpool’s asking price

Fanatik claims Van Dijk is seeking an annual salary of around €12m to commit to a move to Turkey. Besiktas are said to be working on a package that could meet those demands, in what would be one of the most lucrative contracts ever offered by the club.

On the selling side, reports indicate Liverpool would not consider allowing their captain to leave for less than €10m. Despite Van Dijk’s status as one of the club’s most influential defenders of the modern era, the fee reflects both his age and Liverpool’s apparent willingness to refresh their defensive options.

British media reports also suggest the Anfield hierarchy are now more open to a sale, with Van Dijk no longer considered entirely indispensable within the squad structure. That shift in stance could smooth the path towards an agreement if Besiktas can satisfy both the player’s financial requirements and Liverpool’s valuation.

End of an era looming at Anfield?

Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 and quickly established himself as a cornerstone of Jurgen Klopp’s team, helping the club to a Premier League title, a Champions League crown and multiple domestic and international trophies.

Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation, he has also captained both Liverpool and the Netherlands, and his potential departure would mark the end of a defining chapter in Liverpool’s recent history.

However, with the player reportedly keen on a new challenge outside the Premier League and Liverpool increasingly open to a deal, Besiktas believe they have a realistic chance of pulling off a transfer that would send shockwaves through the Turkish game.

Should negotiations progress as anticipated, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether Van Dijk swaps Anfield for Istanbul in what would be one of the standout moves of the current transfer window.