Liverpool are planning for Virgil van Dijk's eventual exit from Anfield, with AC Milan emerging as serious contenders to sign the Dutch stalwart.

Across an incredible nine years on Merseyside, Van Dijk has become one of the best defenders in the world and helped the Reds win every trophy, including the Champions League, two Premier League titles, two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup.

The 35-year-old has been an incredible servant, but with his contract expiring in June 2027, there is a chance he could depart the club on a free transfer next summer. According to MilanNews24, AC Milan have identified Van Dijk as the main target to improve their defence, with Milan’s owner, Gerry Cardinale, leading their pursuit.

The Rossoneri, led by former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, are reportedly willing to offer the Liverpool legend a two-year contract worth €8-10million per year. So, with a potentially lucrative offer heading his way, SPORTbible have analysed four players who could replace him.

Luka Vuskovic

It's nearly impossible for Liverpool to replace the success and quality Van Dijk has helped bring to the Reds for almost a decade, but Brighton's Luka Vuskovic is someone arguably capable of following in his footsteps.

The Seagulls only signed the 19-year-old from Tottenham Hotspur for £50million this summer, though the teenager has already established himself as one of the most promising players in England's top flight, combining aerial dominance, composure on the ball and physical presence to demonstrate his qualities as a complete defender.

Liverpool are said to be among the clubs 'seriously interested' in signing Vuskovic - whose contract at the AMEX Stadium expires in 2031 - and he would form an incredible partnership with Jeremy Jacquet in the middle of Andoni Iraola's defence.

Although Brighton are 'under no pressure to sell' the Croatian international - as per TEAMtalk - successfully capturing an all-round defensive monster would be a fitting successor to Van Dijk's throne.

Tarik Muharemovic

Like Vuskovic, Tarik Muharemovic is playing his first campaign of Premier League football after joining Leeds United from Sassuolo for £34.1million, and he already looks like he's been turning out in England's top-flight for a decade.

For a Leeds side sitting 12th with 11 points from nine games, the 6'4" Bosnian stalwart has been an integral player for Daniel Farke, demonstrating his physical strength, aerial qualities and ball-playing abilities at the back.

Liverpool will need someone physically imposing and excellent in possession to replace Van Dijk, and Muharemovic possesses both attributes in abundance, making him an ideal replacement for Van Dijk.

In fact, TEAMtalk claimed last month that the Reds are 'keeping tabs' on the 23-year-old's development ahead of next summer, and stepping up to one of Europe's biggest clubs would be a natural stepping stone in his career.

Jarell Quansah

When Liverpool sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35million in July 2025, there was a sense that the Reds had made a mistake by offloading the England international prematurely.

Quansah has since developed into one of Europe's most promising ball-playing centre-backs, and Liverpool retain a buy-back clause worth €70million (£59.3m) that can be activated up until June 15, 2027.

For that reason, the Reds may choose to trigger it next summer and bring their academy graduate home. The 23-year-old has made 56 appearances and scored six goals since joining Leverkusen last year, while starring in European competition.

The fact that he knows the club inside out, is rated highly by Van Dijk, and can offer versatility at right-back means a transfer next summer or beyond cannot be ruled out.

Nico Schlotterbeck

Quansah isn't the only Bundesliga star the Reds could consider on their short list of top-class defenders, with Nico Schlotterbeck becoming a contender to succeed Van Dijk.

The Borussia Dortmund star is reportedly a 'leading target' to join the club, as per Caught Offside, and the German international would bring some sought-after qualities to their back line.

An aggressive, left-footed, front-foot defender who excels in aerial duels and playing out from the back, Schlotterbeck would instantly slot in superbly on the left side of defence after becoming one of the best centre-backs in the world.

Schlotterbeck, 27, has appeared 169 times for Dortmund and sees his contract at Signal Iduna Park expire in June 2031.