Barcelona defender offers Richard Hughes the ULTIMATE come-and-get-me plea

Liverpool will be hoping to have Virgil van Dijk in the ranks next season. The Dutchman, 33, is out of contract in summer 2025 and no breakthrough has yet been reached in talks over a new deal.

Van Dijk is one of three Liverpool superstars with expiring contracts along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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Although the captain will be 34 by the time next season rolls around, he has demonstrated time and again under Arne Slot that he still has the class and consistency to lead the club long-term.

But first a new deal has to get over the line and those talks are not without their perils.

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It’s believed Saudi Arabian clubs as well as Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested in Van Dijk’s services. It once looked like his new contract would be a slam dunk but rival clubs have been encouraged by the deadlock on Merseyside.

Araujo reveals Van Dijk admiration

In a recent interview conducted by Sport, Barca defender Ronald Araujo named Van Dijk as a current defender he admires most.

One way to interpret the answer is that Barca’s players are beginning to exert gentle pressure on Van Dijk through the press in a bid to turn his head.

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But owing to their uncertain financial situation, Barca would be asking Van Dijk to make big sacrifices in order to sign at Camp Nou.

A better solution might be for Richard Hughes and FSG to consider adding Araujo to ranks in order to give him the opportunity to play alongside his idol.

The 25-year-old was reportedly close to leaving Barca in January before a dramatic U-turn led to a new contract. He has only just returned to side - often as captain - following a tough hamstring injury which ruled him out of the first half of the campaign.

Should Liverpool sign Araujo?

The Uruguayan’s new deal expires in 2031 but Barca could well entertain offers now that his value has been secured for the long term.

Liverpool require new centre-backs, regardless of Van Dijk’s situation, given their heavy reliance on both the Netherlands international and Ibrahima Konate.

Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah haven’t met Arne Slot’s demands and the Reds have subsequently been linked with plenty of central defensive talents.

Araujo would be a top-class signing given his reputation as one of the best stoppers in world football. You could call this answer therefore the ultimate come and get me plea.

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