Van Dijk acknowledges reality about Gomez’s future as Liverpool target Crystal Palace captain

Liverpool’s transfer window has taken another unexpected turn, as Virgil van Dijk gave a candid response regarding Joe Gomez’s future, amid strong links to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

Guehi, who found the net in Palace’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, is now being heavily linked with a move to Anfield. Following the match, Palace boss Oliver Glasner was questioned about the possibility of losing his captain before the transfer deadline.

Reports indicate Liverpool are keen to bring in the England centre-back, which could pave the way for Gomez’s departure. The long-serving defender is reportedly attracting serious interest from Serie A, particularly AC Milan.

Van Dijk on Gomez amid Milan interest
After Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Arsenal, Van Dijk was asked about Gomez’s future. Speaking via journalist Lewis Steele on X, he said:

“Of course I want him to stay — he’s my friend. But that’s not how things work. I’m not in charge, and this isn’t a friendly business. We’ll have to see what happens. I want him to stay both as a teammate and as a friend.”

This comes as Matteo Moretto (Fichajes) reported that a €15m deal between Milan and Liverpool for Gomez is close, with the Italian club now in direct talks with the 28-year-old defender.

Liverpool consider Guehi as Gomez exit nears
If Gomez does leave, it would mark the end of an 11-year journey at Anfield. Despite dealing with significant injuries, Gomez has consistently delivered when called upon.

His potential departure could clear the way for Guehi’s arrival — a composed leader who captained Palace to both FA Cup glory and a Community Shield win this year.

Liverpool have already undergone a major defensive reshuffle this summer, bringing in Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giovanni Leoni, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, and Kostas Tsimikas have all moved on.

With transfer deadline day approaching and talks progressing over a potential move for Alexander Isak, things could shift quickly. However, Van Dijk’s remarks make it clear: football is a ruthless business, even for long-time teammates.