Camel Live Exclusive: Virgil Van Dijk Tried His Best to Join Real Madrid Last Season but Was Ruthlessly Rejected

Virgil van Dijk is not a man who holds grudges. Not at all. Except for last season's matches, all his encounters with Real Madrid while at Liverpool ended in defeat, including two Champions League finals (2018 and 2022) and two Champions League knockout ties (2021 and 2023).

However, the Liverpool captain tried his utmost to join Real Madrid last season. In fact, his agent contacted representatives in Spain in an attempt to establish direct contact with Real Madrid and open the door that had long remained closed.

The centre-back only finally accepted a contract extension with Liverpool at the last minute, signing a new deal with the English club on April 17. Tensions were running extremely high at the time, with Anfield fearing they had lost the Dutchman.

The defender received various offers. Some were attractive in sporting terms, while others included huge sums of money, such as the offer from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.

Van Dijk turned down these offers, hoping that Real Madrid would eventually sign him from Liverpool to strengthen their defence, but this never happened.

In 2020, Van Dijk suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Although he has made a full recovery, this was undoubtedly one of the reasons why Real Madrid refused to consider him. Real Madrid rejected all these approaches, prioritising other, completely different targets, such as the signing of Dean Huijsen.

The centre-back, who turned 34 in July, ultimately chose to stay at Liverpool rather than embark on a journey that would not have fully satisfied him. That journey would have taken him to the Bernabéu, but despite his insistence to his agent, it ultimately amounted to nothing.