Liverpool Exclusive: Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk hold-ups revealed
Liverpool’s contract talks with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were partly delayed by disagreements over image rights payments, sources have told Football Insider.
The protracted sagas ended this month when the pair finally signed two-year extensions running until the summer of 2027.
However, both deals were hit by stumbling blocks before full agreements were eventually secured.
Football Insider first revealed on 31 December that Salah had agreed to the framework of a two-year extension – but the full deal had not been finalised due to image rights.
Salah and Van Dijk deals delayed due to image rights dispute
Salah’s superstar teammate Van Dijk also saw negotiations impacted, with his own image rights causing a delay in signing the all-important extension.
The pair have been crucial to success in the Premier League this season, with Liverpool wrapping up the title on Sunday (27 April) after beating Tottenham 5-1.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Liverpool (C) | 34 | 82 | 48 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 34 | 67 | 34 |
| 3 | Newcastle | 34 | 62 | 21 |
| 4 | Man City | 34 | 61 | 23 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 34 | 60 | 19 |
Arne Slot’s side won their 20th top flight title with four games of the 2024-25 campaign left to play.
Salah has notched 33 goals and 23 assists in 48 games across all competitions this term and is in contention to win the European Golden Boot this season.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk has been ever-present as Liverpool captain – starting 46 times in league, cup and Champions League.
Liverpool keen on ‘next Carlos Baleba’
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (30 April) that Liverpool and Man United are tracking Stade de Reims midfielder Amadou Kone.
The 19-year-old is valued in the £20million bracket by his club after a stellar campaign in France this season.
Ivory Coast Under-23 international Kone has been likened to Brighton’s Carlos Baleba for his style of play.
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