Real Madrid mentioned as a possible summer destination for Liverpool veteran by ex-teammate | OneFootball

It is no secret that Real Madrid are working to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold as a free agent in the summer when his contract at Liverpool expires.

Interestingly, though, Alexander-Arnold is not the only big-name player with an expiring contract at Anfield as both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk could also end up as free agents in the summer.

In fact, recent reports suggested that Van Dijk had been offered to Real Madrid in light of their injury-plagued defensive unit but have no interest in the Dutchman.

Jose Fonte backs Van Dijk for Real Madrid

However, Jose Fonte, Van Dijk’s former teammate at Southampton, has claimed that the veteran Liverpool star can thrive at a club like Real Madrid or Barcelona or Bayern Munich.

“Van Dijk would thrive at Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich, and I would not be surprised to see him at one of those clubs next season,” Fonte said in an interview, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Van Dijk’s contract at Liverpool expires at the end of the season. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Van Dijk will be 34 years old by the time the next season starts but Fonte insisted that the Netherlands star has what it takes to continue at the highest level for a few more years.

“I would not be surprised to see him at one of those clubs next season because those clubs will be looking for defenders as reliable as Van Dijk, and everyone will be watching if he reaches the end of the season without signing a new contract,” he said.

“He can still play at the highest level and has shown that he can take care of himself. He will have no problem maintaining that level for three or four more years.”

While Fonte may have put forth Van Dijk’s name as a potential candidate for Real Madrid, Los Blancos have no interest in the Dutchman.

The Spanish heavyweights reportedly have no plans to sign a new centre-back in the summer and are ready to trust their current options.