Arne Slot has found his PERFECT Van Dijk successor at Barcelona

Liverpool fans are jittery because three of the club’s biggest stars are out of contract at the end of the season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all see their current deals expire in summer 2025 and if nothing changes then all three will be leaving the club in a matter of weeks.

READ MORE: Star confirms Liverpool decision with new 5-year contract

The focus will soon turn on who might well come in to replace them and it’s not going to be an easy task. But according to the latest reports in Spain, Arne Slot has found one replacement at last.

Van Dijk, 33, may well end up signing a new contract with Liverpool but given his age he will need a successor sooner or later.

Liverpool Transfer News: Surprise at Anfield as RIDICULOUS Chelsea offer steals wonderkid

Nico Schlotterbeck and Jorrel Hato are just two of the names in the frame for a Liverpool transfer this summer but a strong candidate has emerged at Barcelona - allegedly with the personal approval of Slot.

Arne Slot chooses Araujo

Ronald Araujo was once seen as an indispensable part of the Barcelona backline but has had to contend himself with a more bit-part role this season.

As well as suffering a debilitating hamstring injury, he has found himself behind Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia in the Barca pecking order. Araujo has only played 14 times for the Catalans this season - and only six times in total in LaLiga.

READ MORE: Liverpool title success GUARANTEED as Arsenal lose key attacker to injury

Therefore a future away from the club could be considered although he is reported to favour remaining with his current team. With Barca again in financial distress - requiring sales to balance the books and fund incoming business - Araujo could well prove to be their most bankable asset.

He is under contract at Camp Nou until 2031 having recently signed a new deal and is valued by the club at around €60 million. According to El Nacional, his sale would be a “favour” to club president Joan Laporta, with several other centre-backs available to head coach Hansi Flick.

The same report states that Slot has hand-picked the Uruguay international Araujo as his preferred replacement for Van Dijk in the event that the Dutchman leaves Anfield.

Arne Slot sees Araujo as PERFECT replacement

“Liverpool manager Arne Slot has named Ronald Araujo, FC Barcelona's Uruguayan centre-back, as the ideal replacement,” it states.

“The club needs to make a significant sale this summer to balance its books and make regular signings.

“Araujo, whose market value is around €60 million, could be the piece that allows Barça to improve its finances without losing competitiveness.”

The former Boston River defender is excellent in one-on-one duels and possesses strong physicality as well as pace. He is not as good on the ball as Van Dijk, however, and would need to get up to speed with the demands of playing in the position should he arrive on Merseyside.

READ MORE: Hugo Ekitike deal edges closer as Frankfurt move in on AGREEMENT

Nonetheless, Araujo has been described by El Nacional as Arne Slot’s “perfect replacement” for the outbound captain Van Dijk.

“Negotiations are expected to progress in the coming weeks. Arne Slot is determined to sign Araujo, and Liverpool has the resources to meet his release clause,” the report says.