Van Dijk's contract WARNING as Champions League giants circle

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season and so far there has been no confirmation of a new deal.

While an agreement was reported to be close before Christmas, the Dutchman still hasn’t been pictured with a pen in his hand. That has led to concern on the part of Reds fans, who desperately want to see the skipper stay.

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The latest indications are that Van Dijk would like to remain at Liverpool but so far no agreement has been reached between the club and his entourage.

And now come reports that clubs around Europe, as well as MLS and Asia, are all sniffing around once again. Where once Liverpool’s renewal for Van Dijk appeared straightforward it’s currently proving anything but.

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“Van Dijk is keen to remain at Anfield – in principle – but as it stands there is no deal on offer that is suitable to both parties,” a report in TBR Football reads.

“So far Van Dijk and his team have been unwilling to seriously listen or consider interest from elsewhere, but we understand that the interest is increasing.

“It is believed that Saudi Arabia’s Pro League and America’s Major League Soccer would like to take Van Dijk – but some of Europe’s biggest clubs are open to the prospect. We understand that Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are all amongst the clubs in the picture.”

That is a stunning turnaround considering that the 33-year-old looked most likely to renew among the three high-profile players with expiring contracts this summer.

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Anfield Watch reported in late 2024 that Van Dijk’s team were turning down interest from elsewhere as the Liverpool contract looked like a tap-in.

But whether it’s due to the duration of the deal or the financial terms on offer, Liverpool’s 33-year-old captain has not yet put pen to paper. That’s opened the door yet again to a departure.

Ahead of the weekend’s victory over Manchester City, Van Dijk spoke to Sky Sports, revealing that the contract impasse was not yet resolved but said fans could expect news in the next couple of months.

Van Dijk drops Wijnaldum hint

That’s hardly music to the ears of Liverpool supporters and his reference to a former teammate will have raised eyebrows too.

Gini Wijnaldum left Liverpool in 2021 on a high-profile free transfer to PSG. And Van Dijk used his Dutch international colleague as an example of how to stay ‘calm’ during contract talks. We all know how that one ended.

“It's quite funny because I remember when Gini [Wijnaldum], obviously a friend of mine, when he was out of contract and in his last six months of the club I said to him I can't believe how calm he was.

“But now being in a situation myself, I'm in a very good place physically, mentally and the only focus I'm having at the moment is trying to be successful with Liverpool.

“That's the main focus and be the best captain and player I can be for the team and for the club and what will happen in the future at this point I have no idea, but I think in the next couple of months there will be definitely some information.”

And now, seemingly, the elite of European football are again lining up for an attempt on Van Dijk’s signature. Has something happened behind the scenes to give them encouragement? Because only a bizarre late hitch would have prevented the renewal before Christmas.

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It would appear that half of the Champions League know Van Dijk’s true worth but FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes are not yet convinced of it. Let the name-drop of Wijnaldum be a warning. And remember that Van Dijk is far more important to the cause than Gini ever was.

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