The rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea nearly took a seismic turn last year. As of January 15, 2026, new details have emerged confirming that Chelsea made a formal inquiry for Virgil van Dijk during the height of his contract uncertainty in early 2025.
Before the Dutch captain eventually put pen to paper on a new deal at Anfield, the Blues reportedly "explored the possibility" of bringing the world-class defender to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer.
Inside the Secret Inquiry
The pursuit took place during the Spring of 2025, a period when Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all entering the final months of their contracts.
The Chelsea Approach: According to reports from the Daily Mail and The Mirror, Chelsea’s hierarchy reached out to Van Dijk’s representatives to gauge his interest in a move to London. The Blues were prepared to offer a massive signing-on fee and a wage package that would have made him the highest-paid defender in Premier League history.
The "Adopted Scouser" Response: Van Dijk reportedly shut down the talks almost immediately. Upon signing his extension in April 2025, The "Joe Cole" Verdict: Earlier this week (January 12, 2026), former Blue Joe Cole criticized Chelsea for not being more aggressive:
"I would have gone really big for Virgil. You need seasoned winners, and they missed a massive opportunity to grab a leader while his future was up in the air."he famously told club media: "It was always Liverpool. There wasn't any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family."
The "Summer of 2025" Divergence
While Chelsea failed to land Van Dijk, the "Contract Trio" at Liverpool saw mixed results that summer:
Mohamed Salah: Followed Van Dijk by signing a two-year extension.
Virgil van Dijk: Remained the "bedrock" of the defense.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Famously rejected his renewal to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, a move that still stings the Anfield faithful.
The Verdict: Chelsea’s attempt to exploit Liverpool’s contract crisis was a bold move that ultimately reinforced Van Dijk’s legacy at Anfield. While Liverpool lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Madrid, keeping Van Dijk proved to be the decisive factor in their 2025 Premier League triumph.