Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool talks put on hold in ‘surprise’ twist – sources
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is keen to keep captain Virgil van Dijk at the club with a new contract but talks have been put on hold, sources have told Football Insider.
The 32-year-old’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Club chiefs will pursue a renewal for the centre-back, but it is believed talks will not take place until the end of 2024 with transfer business currently being prioritised after Slot’s arrival at Anfield.
Van Dijk has recently confirmed he intends to remain a Liverpool player into next season despite his precarious contract situation.
It will nonetheless be deemed a surprise in some quarters that talks for such a key player will be placed on the backburner for potentially six months.
The Netherlands international, who will captain his country at this summer’s European Championships, was back at his best in the 2023-24 campaign after his form was questioned in the previous season.
But with the long-serving defender turning 34 shortly after his current contract expires, Liverpool are planning to sign a long-term replacement.
Football Insider revealed on Sunday (9 June) that the Reds will target a younger, left-sided centre-back this summer who can develop under Slot.
Liverpool plot Van Dijk contract talks as replacement plan revealed
Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio, 22, is one name under consideration at Anfield, with the club’s interest believed to be “concrete”.
Van Dijk made 48 appearances in the 2023-24 campaign, starting in 45 of those outings.
He was a virtual ever-present for Jurgen Klopp’s side as they fell short in the race for the Premier League title, finishing third behind Arsenal and Man City.
The 32-year-old captained the Reds as they won the League Cup final against Chelsea in February.
Liverpool have confirmed Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara will depart the club upon the expiry of their contracts later this month.
Slot’s side will play in the league phase of the Champions League next term after only qualifying for the Europa League group stage in the 2023-24 campaign.
In other news, Liverpool hold talks over deal to sign “next Javier Mascherano”.
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