Liverpool to keep Van Dijk, target Adam Wharton in summer transfers

Liverpool's new manager Andoni Iraola has confirmed that captain Virgil van Dijk will not be sold this summer, with journalist James Pearce tweeting, “Virgil van Dijk will not go anywhere this summer.” The Dutch defender remains a key part of the club’s plans for the 2026/27 season.

At the same time, Liverpool continue to monitor Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Journalist Pete O’Rourke noted that transfer talk has “cooled,” but the club still sees Wharton as a potential midfield addition. A report suggests a swap involving Harvey Elliott could allow Liverpool to acquire Wharton while saving £50 million.

Additional rumours link the club with a possible signing of Jarrod Bowen as an alternative to Bradley Barcola, indicating a broader strategy to strengthen the squad ahead of pre‑season.