rewrite this title Virgil van Dijk sparks social media transfer frenzy with PSG chiefs chat

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has got tongues wagging on social media after being caught on camera talking to Paris Saint-Germain owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos in the aftermath of their Champions League last 16 clash.

The Dutchman was powerless to prevent Liverpool from being dumped out of European football’s most prestigious club competition after a thrilling two-leg duel was eventually settled by a penalty shootout at Anfield.

PSG prevailed after Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones were denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma, booking the Ligue 1 giants a Champions League quarter-final clash with either Aston Villa or Club Brugge, who contest the second leg of their tie on Wednesday night.

Van Dijk was gracious in defeat, telling Canal+: “Congrats to PSG, they’ve been the best team we faced this season so far. Credit to Luis Enrique, he built a very good squad.”

The 33-year-old’s contract at Liverpool expires this summer and he’s yet to commit to an extension. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have been touted as potential destinations for Van Dijk, who could head for the Anfield exit door with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold if they also fail to agree fresh terms.

PSG have also been mentioned in dispatches and the transfer gossip fire was stoked by footage showing Van Dijk speaking to Al-Khelaifi and Campos in the tunnel post-match.

Van Dijk video footage

X users react to Van Dijk’s conversation

The nature of their conversation is understandably unclear – and of course won’t ever be discussed publicly – but has created a furore on social media as fans speculate over whether a potential summer move to Paris was the topic of discussion.

Van Dijk has been at Liverpool since January 2018 and played a key role in helping the club return to the top of the game under Jurgen Klopp. His imperious presence and calmness under pressure quickly led to back-to-back Champions League final appearances – the latter a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur after defeat to Real Madrid 12 months prior – and it wasn’t long before the Reds won a first Premier League title.

They are almost certain to repeat that feat in Arne Slot’s first year as manager – a 15-point advantage over Arsenal a seemingly insurmountable advantage – and could still end the season with a double should they overcome Newcastle United in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

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