Liverpool Could Sign Dream Van Dijk Successor With Move for “World-class” Serie A Star
Virgil van Dijk’s recent comments have heightened speculation about the end of his career at Liverpool, following the Netherlands’ defeat to England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Van Dijk appeared deeply disappointed after Ollie Watkins scored a last-minute goal, dashing the Netherlands’ hopes of winning their first major trophy since 1988. Despite this setback, concerns about his future have grown.
The 33-year-old defender, acquired by Liverpool from Southampton for £75m in December 2017, suggested he might leave Anfield soon.
In a post-match interview, he mentioned he would “carefully consider his future at club and international levels” during the summer break before the 2024/25 season.
As Van Dijk, who is on a £220k-per-week contract, approaches the final year of his deal, Liverpool’s management, led by Arne Slot, remains optimistic about his role in the upcoming season. However, planning for a successor is seen as wise.
Recent reports from Tutto Juve indicate that Liverpool have made a €60m (£50m) offer for Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, showing their intent to bolster their defense.
At 27, Bremer is highly valued by Juventus, but due to financial issues at the club, Liverpool see an opportunity to secure his transfer.
In a February interview with DAZN, Bremer expressed his admiration for Liverpool’s captain, stating that the Dutch defender is “two steps” ahead of him. Despite this, Juventus’ standout centre-back has the potential to build a highly successful career.
Although Bremer has not yet played in the Premier League, he possesses qualities that indicate he could thrive in England, being described as “world-class” by CBS Sports commentator Matteo Bonetti.
FBref data shows that last season, the Brazilian was in the top 20% of his position across Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored, and in the top 16% for aerial duels won per 90 minutes, leveraging his 6-foot-2 height effectively.
In contrast, Van Dijk is known for his exceptional aerial dominance and ball-playing skills. He ranks among the top defenders for assists, pass completion, progressive passes, and aerial duels won per 90 minutes.
Analyst Ben Mattinson described Bremer as a “monster” defender, highlighting his central role in Juventus’ defense.
With his agility, defensive strength, and technical skills, Bremer is poised to follow in Van Dijk’s footsteps and potentially lead Liverpool’s defense in the future.
| Gleison Bremer vs Virgil Van Dijk: 23/24 League Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | Bremer | Van Dijk |
| Matches played | 36 | 36 |
| Goals | 3 | 2 |
| Assists | 0 | 2 |
| Clean sheets | 15 | 9 |
| Pass completion | 86% | 91% |
| Key passes per game | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Ball recoveries per game | 5.2 | 4.7 |
| Tackles per game | 1.6 | 1.1 |
| Interceptions per game | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Clearances per game | 4.0 | 3.9 |
| Duels won per game | 5.2 (63%) | 5.4 (76%) |
| Stats via Sofascore | ||
Although Bremer may not match Van Dijk’s impressive metrics, he can still compete with Europe’s top players, making Liverpool’s interest in him justifiable.
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool Ready to Pay for Mind-boggling £49m Star Who’d Be Their Best LW Since Sadio Mane
