Galatasaray have placed Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk back at the top of their transfer shortlist ahead of the January transfer window, with the yellow-and-red hierarchy seeking a marquee defensive leader to fix an alarming start to the campaign.
Conceding 27 goals across 13 matches in all competitions this season, head coach Okan Buruk held a transfer summit with President Dursun Özbek to request immediate mid-season reinforcements in central defense and at right-back.
Contract Hesitation Opens Door for Mid-Season Approach
According to reports covered by Fotomaç, the 35-year-old Dutch international has entered the final year of his contract at Anfield. With Liverpool remaining undecided on offering a contract renewal, Galatasaray hope to exploit the uncertainty during the winter window.
The Istanbul club is structuring a package featuring a transfer fee under €10 million alongside a matching €10 million annual contract to convince Liverpool and van Dijk to complete the move mid-season.
The İlkay Gündoğan Connection
Galatasaray’s recruitment department hopes to leverage off-pitch ties through midfielder İlkay Gündoğan to accelerate negotiations.
Both Gündoğan and van Dijk are represented by the same agency, ROOF, where Gündoğan’s uncle is employed. The yellow-and-red board believes this agency link—combined with van Dijk’s previous praise for the atmosphere at Rams Park—gives Galatasaray a distinct advantage as they push to secure the veteran defender.
