The two MEGA clubs Virgil Van Dijk rejected to stay at Liverpool

Liverpool fans could not be happier right now. Mohamed Salah has signed a contract extension, Virgil Van Dijk has now signed a contract extension and the Premier League title is six points away.

The club has well and truly pulled it out the bag with their negotiating strategy to convince two of the Reds' modern greats to prolong their stay with us.

EXCLUSIVE: Paris Saint-Germain commit to massive Ibrahima Konate move

We've come a long way from the start of the season, where uncertainty was rife. No one knew what the team would look like under Arne Slot and the prospect of the team's best assets leaving for free was horrifying.

Rival clubs were already preparing their offers for Liverpool's star players, but despite the admittedly impressive numbers that were waved in their faces, the club has defiantly put any leaving rumours to bed.

In face of competition, Liverpool prevail once again

When it was announced that Salah would be staying on with the Reds just less than a week ago, the tagline from the media team was 'more in than out' - a fresh take on the 'more out than in' mantra that Salah had said to the press in an attempt to hurry up negotiations.

But while the Egyptian has always felt at home in Liverpool, there were genuine reports that claimed he could've gone to Saudi Arabia. The player outwardly went on to reject those proposals.

The same was very much true for Van Dijk before he signed his extension. Anfield Watch had been confident that the Dutchman would get a new contract, but PSG were lingering in the background to try and tempt him to leave on a free contract and join the Parisian giants as revealed exclusively by us.

A package of around €80m spread over two years would be offered, with a further €20m offered as a signing bonus to take the overall proposal to €100m - a serious approach for the Liverpool captain.

But now it has been revealed that another club were interested in potential deal to sign him.

According to Mail Sport, Chelsea were also interested in exploring the idea of signing Van Dijk on a free transfer, although 'the feeling they got back is that he was going to sign a new deal at Liverpool'.

Of course, it should come to no surprise that one of the best defenders of all time was a player that other clubs were taking note of. Anyone would be incredibly lucky to have him in their team.

But it simply underlines the fragility of his situation before a resolution was eventually found.

He ended his announcement video saying 'it was always Liverpool', and in his heart he may well genuinely mean that, but the club's recruitment department deserve immense credit.

READ MORE: 'They definitely like him' - Journalist CONFIRMS Reds move for £43m attacker

It was a long and tortuous road to get here, where Liverpool fans can rejoice and be optimistic ahead of next season, but the emotional rollercoaster they went through this season will never be forgotten.

READ MORE: Trey Nyoni closes in on DREAM move as Arne Slot confirms plans