Liverpool now plan for Virgil van Dijk EXIT with 'ideal' replacement named

Liverpool are reportedly planning for Virgil van Dijk’s exit. An ‘ideal’ replacement is now in mind.

TeamTalk reports that Liverpool are planning for Virgil van Dijk to leave the club in 2025. The Dutchman will be out of contract next June and is yet to sign or even reportedly come close to a new one.

That has the Reds working on a succession plan. Sporting director Richard Hughes is apparently pushing forward on other targets - or at least, he's attempting to whittle down a list.

➡️ READ MORE: Liverpool END recruitment drive after latest display

One name that supposedly features prominently on that list is Gleison Bremer of Juventus. Liverpool have been linked with Bremer for years now, since before he left Torino for their local rivals.

And Rudy Galetti here suggests Bremer is now seen as an 'ideal candidate' to replace Van Dijk next year. The 2022 Serie A 'Defender of the Year' has been named to Italy's Team of the Season for three years in a row.

But he's far from the only option here. Liverpool are also looking at Marc Geuhi - something that was widely reported at the end of the transfer window - as well as Sporting centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

Inacio is another linked with Liverpool consistently over the last year. And those rumours resurfaced towards the end of the window, much as with Guehi.

Loic Bade of Sevilla is one more that the Reds could push for. However, his asking price is supposedly viewed as too high.

Liverpool plan for Van Dijk exit

Liverpool have a lot to worry about right now, with Van Dijk just one of three superstars nearing the end of their contract. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah will also see their deals expire unless they agree on new terms.

But there's still a ways to go and we're not going to worry too much just yet. For one, Liverpool should absolutely plan for their exits just in case.

The Reds can't afford to wait and see on this one. They must find potential replacements now and work on them - just in case the worst happens next year.

So while no one should be panicking, the work to replace three all-time greats will be underway.