Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is in line for a breathtaking £750,000 bonus should the club keep 22 clean sheets next season, according to a new book.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the book “Football Leaks: Uncovering The Dirty Deals Behind The Beautiful Game” claims that van Dijk is in line for several lucrative bonuses in his Anfield contract.
The Netherlands international will reportedly receive £375,000 if the club manage to keep 18 clean sheets next season, £500,000 if they manage 20 and £750,000 if he helps them keep 22.
It is also revealed that van Dijk received a £6million signing-on bonus and a £5million loyalty bonus for a total of £11million already, and is in line for another £4million should he play 150 games and the club regularly finish in the top four in that time.
The 26-year-old’s contract also entitles him to £20,000 for every goal he scores and £20,000 for every goal he creates.
OPINION
Van Dijk certainly lucked out when Liverpool finally converted their long-standing interest in him in January. On top of his reported wage of £124,658-a-week, the Dutchman is in line for a ridiculous amount of money in the coming seasons if he keeps up his good form. Liverpool fans will argue the 26-year-old is worth every penny, and you would be hard-pressed to find someone who could mount a solid case against that fact. The impact that van Dijk has had on the Reds’ defence in just half a season has been nothing short of magnificent, and this summer will be crucial in allowing him to kick on. Namely, the club need to bring in a suitable partner for him. Dejan Lovren will tide them over but the Croatian is far too error-prone and that is not acceptable at a club like Liverpool. A new centre-back should be number one priority this summer, and if they bring in the right player, then van Dijk could make himself a very rich man next term.
