Ronald Koeman Warns Virgil Van Dijk When Moving To Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA - Dutch coach Ronald Koeman warned defender Virgil van Dijk would no longer receive a national team call if he moved to Saudi Arabia.

Van Dijk immediately terminated his contract at Liverpool after the competition was over. There is no certainty whether Liverpool will renew their contract.

Rumors circulated that the 33-year-old defender was already targeted by Paris Saint-Germain. Even Van Dijk met with PSG officials after the Champions League last 16 match. He was caught talking with PSG Football Director Luis Campos and club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

A series of Liverpool's failures this season have strengthened Van Dijk to leave Anfield. Especially after the Reds failed in the Carabao Cup. In the final match, Liverpool lost 2-1 to Newcastle United.

Koeman himself did not question if Van Dijk remained in Liverpool or moved to another elite European club like PSG. However, Koeman, as quoted by Sport Mole, did not want Van Dijk to move to the Saudi Arabian Pro League club.

"Whether he signed a new contract at Liverpool or joined another big club. This is certainly a good thing for me," said Koeman.

"So we'll see. I can understand if Virgil is looking for a club that deserves his current level," he said.

Koeman implies Van Dijk will be crossed out if he chooses to play in Saudi Arabia which is considered less competitive. Previously, he had not recalled Steven Bergwijn who left Ajax Amsterdam to join Al-Ittihad.

Koeman regretted the decision of the 26-year-old winger who chose to play in Saudi Arabia. Since then, the former Tottenham Hostpur player has never been called up again by Koeman.

Unlike Georginio Wijnaldum, who is still in the Dutch squad at Euro 2024 even though he has played at Al-Ettifaq. However, Koeman did not call him when the Oranje team competed in the UEFA Nations League.

The Netherlands is preparing to face Spain in the quarter-finals of the Nations League.

They acted as hosts in the first match, Friday, March 21, 2025 in the morning WIB. Furthermore, the Dutch visited the headquarters of Spain, Monday, May 24, 2025 in the morning WIB.