Liverpool line-up extraordinary deal to replace Virgil Van Dijk with SUPERFAN

Liverpool are set to have a summer of change, even despite the likelihood that the Reds will be crowned Premier League champions in May.

The team needed a bit of surgery before the season started, looking for a centre-back to replace Joel Matip, a left-back and a new defensive midfielder - who will now be an understudy for Ryan Gravenberch.

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And while the team is set to deliver at least one piece of silverware this season, it has become increasingly clear that at least one forward player needs to be added to the club's shopping list, without accounting for the potential departures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold on free contracts.

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As such, Liverpool might be excelling on the pitch, but it is clear that off the pitch, a lot of work needs to be done to ensure that the standards that Arne Slot is setting can be met next season with substantial recruitment required to keep the success going.

Today, a new transfer link has popped up regarding a potential replacement for Van Dijk.

'Araujo is the ideal replacement for Van Dijk'

According to the Spanish news outlet El Nacional, Liverpool are eyeing up a possible transfer for Ronald Araujo from Barcelona.

The Uruguayan centre-back is 26 years old and according to their sources close to the negotiations, "his future at the club is up in the air due to the need to make money and the competition in the Barca defence."

Araujo is regarded as one of the best leaders at the Catalonian club and it is clear that his imposing physique and speed are reminiscent of Van Dijk's standout qualities.

However, he is Barcelona's captain, which might make a deal a little more complicated, despite the club having sufficient back-up players who could cover him, such as Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen.

The La Liga title race is heating up with Araujo leading the team to potential glory and they are the favourites to make the Champions League final in their half of the draw.

But Liverpool are in a similar position, looking set to win the Premier League and while PSG got the better of the Reds last week, it is clear that Slot's project is one of the most promising in Europe, which could tempt Uruguayan to move to England.

In addition, in a video with Diario SPORT, he is pictured claiming that Van Dijk is his idol and so Liverpool might well be a destination that he has considered before, which could lead to an approach being well received.

According to Football Transfers, he is valued at €56.5m (£47.6m) which would be a somewhat reasonable fee for the club to spend to attempt to replace a player of Van Dijk's quality, however, even if the Dutchman re-signs with the Reds, Liverpool's recruitment team could do a lot worse than bringing in Araujo as defensive depth.

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For the time being, we will have to wait and see if this story develops at all as the season progresses, but it is positive to see that the club is preparing for all eventualities, as devastating as it might be if Van Dijk's spell at Liverpool comes to an end.

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