Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is “speaking to the club” about his future, providing a fresh update on the matter.
The Dutchman is one of three Reds superstars whose futures are unclear currently, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.
Van Dijk is possibly Liverpool’s greatest centre-back of all time, proving to be a remarkable signing since arriving midway through the 2017/18 season. For that reason, Reds supporters will be terrified at the prospect of losing him this summer.
While nothing significant has necessarily progressed regarding the 33-year-old signing a contract extension, Romano said on YouTube [via Empire of the Kop] that he is in ongoing discussions with the club:
“Liverpool internally insist on their plan to keep Virgil van Dijk at the club. They really want to keep Virgil. They insist on their confidence to make it happen, so Liverpool remain confident – relaxed is a big word; it’s still too early to say relaxed.
“You are relaxed when you sign a contract, but Liverpool remain in conversations with Van Dijk and are convinced that they can make it happen with the player. At the moment, there’s still nothing agreed, but Virgil van Dijk is speaking to the club. In this case, Liverpool maintain their position.”
Liverpool’s most important player to tie down?
Van Dijk may now be 33 years of age, but he remains an irreplaceable figure for Liverpool, with no other centre-back on the planet on his level, as has been the case for some time now.
There is no reason why he can’t remain at the highest level for several more years, and it is arguably more important to keep hold of him than Alexander-Arnold and Salah.
That’s not to downplay their world-class brilliance as footballers, but Van Dijk is a once-in-a-generation defender, not to mention a great leader who improves those around him.
It would be a surprise if he didn’t sign a new deal, even though nothing appears to be progressing too much currently, and the skipper committing his future to Liverpool would feel as important as any new signing in the summer transfer window.
