Liverpool at risk of losing Virgil van Dijk thanks to Premier League newboys

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Liverpool is at risk of losing Virgil van Dijk this summer, as interest heats up in the club captain heading into the early stage of the summer transfer window.Virgil van Dijk continues to be linked with a possible exit from Liverpool this summer(Image: (Photo by BSR Agency/Getty Images))Virgil van Dijk is being linked with a possible exit from Liverpool this summer, as Premier League newboys Hull City could impact a deal for the defender in the coming weeks.The club captain has been an instrumental player for the Reds since joining back in 2018 from Southampton in a deal worth $99.3 million.In those eight years at Anfield, Van Dijk has made over 370 appearances across all competitions, winning two Premier League titles, two Carabao Cups, one Champions League, one FA Cup, the Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, and the Community Shield.While that legacy from the Dutch international is there, he is now entering the final year under contract with Liverpool, leading to further questions over his future and links with a potential exit.Galatasaray has been the team most heavily rumoured with interest, which may only grow as Premier League newboys Hull chase a move for one of the team's key defenders.Haber Sarikizmiri reports that the Tigers want a move for Victor Nelsson, the 27-year-old centre-back who plays for Aslanlar, with plans in place for the Turkish side to move him on.Any funds raised for the deal are claimed to be put towards an effort to sign Van Dijk this summer, while the report claims that the defender himself is keen to play for Galatasaray.Liverpool's stance on an exit is unclear, but Hull could kickstart a transfer domino effect that leads to the 34-year-old making a surprise switch in the coming weeks.Virgil van Dijk is linked with an exit from Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images))A move for Van Dijk could prove an initial blow for the Reds and new head coach Andoni Iraola, given the intangible impact he has on the team.While the experienced defender's form did drop last season, he still has the leadership qualities needed to drag the team through some big moments, which will be especially important with such a young backline next campaign with the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet and the return of Giovanni Leoni.The loss of key figures such as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson from the locker room leaves a leadership void, which could only become larger if Van Dijk and Alisson Becker leave, the latter of which was linked with a move to Juventus this summer.If an exit were facilitated, then Liverpool would need to dip into the market to look at options who can contribute to the team immediately.Nico Schlotterbeck is among those who has been linked, but it remains to be seen if the transfer dominoes would fall in place for such a deal.In the meantime, full focus for Van Dijk remains on the World Cup campaign with the Netherlands, who kicked off the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Japan.Group clashes with Sweden and Tunisia remain, with qualification to the knockout rounds still up for grabs.