
The Virgil van Dijk contract situation is yet to be sorted out but Liverpool are far more hopeful of reaching an agreement with their club captain than with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Meaningful progress has been made between the two sides and there is genuine optimism about the defender staying at Anfield. However, Liverpool can’t rest as long as they don’t have his signature on the dotted lines.
The arrival of Van Dijk in January 2018 was a seismic moment in the recent history of the football club. Liverpool almost foolishly touted having a deal in place with the defender in the previous summer, which angered Southampton and the club refused to sell the Dutchman to the Reds.
The negotiations again went behind closed doors and Jurgen Klopp had his man a few months later to signal the start of a hugely successful era at the club.
Van Dijk has been the defensive pillar on which the Reds won the Champions League and the Premier League and he is now widely considered one of the greatest centre-backs to grace the Premier League. His performances under new manager Arne Slot this season have shown that he is not going to slow down any time soon.
The Dutchman will be out of contract at the end of the season and Liverpool have been in talks over a new deal with his representatives. He remained coy when he was recently asked about the status of the negotiations but there is an expectation that an agreement is on the horizon.
The Virgil van Dijk contract situation: A deal is close
Liverpool have faced nothing but frustration in negotiations over a new deal with Salah and Alexander-Arnold. However, the talks with Van Dijk and his representatives have been progressing smoothly.
While a final deal is not in place, negotiations have been progressing towards an eventual agreement and a broad deal is more or less in place between the two sides.
The specifics of the contract are in place and while Liverpool were keen to offer him a two-year deal, the final agreement is expected to be for two years with an option of another one.
There is also a broad agreement over the wages and the two sides are finalising the details of the agreement before a final deal is drawn out by the legal teams.
Liverpool have genuine hope that an agreement will soon be in place for Van Dijk to sign and extend his stay beyond the end of the current season.
The effect of a new contract for Van Dijk
Sorting out the new deal for the club captain will lessen some of the pressure on Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. A lethargic summer transfer window coupled with the talks over new deals dragging have not helped Hughes’ reputation among the Liverpool fans.
Can you name the club Liverpool sold these players to?
If and when Van Dijk signs a new contract, Liverpool hope it will send a signal to Salah and Alexander-Arnold about the club’s intentions and ambitions. The Reds believe the captain’s decision to extend his stay will help them get some momentum to sort out agreements with the other two stalwarts as well.
A new deal for the Dutchman will also allow Liverpool to invest in a younger defender in the summer as Van Dijk would still be at the club to provide leadership at the back for a couple more years.
Most importantly, the 33-year-old is still the leader on and off the pitch at Anfield and keeping his experience around will only help Arne Slot to implement his ideas on a young team moving forward.
