Recently, Barcelona have been linked with many upcoming free agents heading into the next summer transfer window. 

One who would be an absolute steal is Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, who reportedly wants a move to the Camp Nou if he does not extend with the Reds. 

Despite being 33-years-old, Van Dijk is still comfortably the best centre-back in the world and it does not look like he is slowing down. 

If Deco could convince the Dutch captain to join the Blaugrana then it would provide Hansi Flick’s team with a massive boost defensively. 

Unfortunately, the Liverpool skipper has placed renewing his contract at Anfield as the main priority and with how they are performing this campaign it seems very unlikely he will leave. 

Ronald Araujo names Virgil van Dijk as inspiration

In a recent interview, cited by Managing Barca, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo was asked which defender he looked up to. 

“Van Dijk.” replied the Uruguayan centre-back. 

A centre-back partnership between Araujo and Van Dijk would be a force to be reckoned with, sadly it does not look like it will be happening anytime soon. 

Especially as Flick currently prefers the duo of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez, essentially leaving Araujo as a backup. 

This decision could be the catalyst for the 25-year-old centre-back deciding to leave Barcelona next summer and when you consider how close he was in January, it would not come as a surprise. 

Arsenal and Juventus were just a couple of the clubs linked in the winter market and if he becomes available in summer then expect many other clubs to throw their hat into the ring.