Liverpool transfer news today: Van Dijk EXIT, Zubimendi REGRET, Salah PROTEGE

Here’s all the latest Liverpool transfer news for you. We’ve got updates on Virgil van Dijk, Martin Zubimendi and Mo Salah.

Liverpool prepare for Van Dijk exit

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.

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.

Zubimendi regrets rejecting Liverpool

It now looks as though Liverpool may have another shot at bringing Martin Zubimendi in, with reports from Estadio Deportivo saying Zubimendi 'regrets his decision to continue' with Sociedad and intends to join the Premier League this winter, hoping his agent will help rekindle the deal.

The San Sebastian side are yet to offer the Basque midfielder a new contract, with the star remaining contracted until 2027. He earns just under £50,000 a week, according to Capology, and the increase he was promised has not yet been offered to him.

Sociedad have also had a very poor start to the season, with just one win, and are currently sitting 16th in the table. With the loss of his midfield partner Mikel Merino, who joined Arsenal, it is now thought he is having second thoughts and wants to experience playing in the Premier League.

Liverpool rejected Rabiot wages

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed to CaughtOffside that Adrien Rabiot ended up not coming to the Premier League due to his high wages, which neither Liverpool or Manchester United were willing to meet. Recent reports have stated he wanted to be the second highest-paid player at Liverpool, behind Mohamed Salah.

Romano said: “There were big, very big proposals from Turkey and Saudi but he only wanted to play in one of the European top leagues.

“The Premier League was his dream, but his salary requests were considered too expensive. OM have been excellent at working behind the scenes and getting it done for a reduced salary, convincing Rabiot of their project.”

Salah protege wants Premier League move

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush is a man in demand right now and it’s clear to see why. The Egyptian striker bagged 17 goals in all competitions last season. Although none of the ‘big six’ made an approach, Nottingham Forest were eager to get his signature, but wouldn’t meet Frankfurt’s asking price. 

Liverpool, though, were reportedly watching Marmoush earlier this year. And with Liverpool’s strikers struggling to hit consistency, Arne Slot may feel a new signing could be necessary.

Marmoush is of course teammates with Mohamed Salah. According to a report by TeamTalk, Omar wants to follow in the footsteps of the Egyptian King and play in the Premier League.

He states, "I’m learning everything from Mohamed Salah on and off the pitch. It’s a great honour to play alongside one of the best players in the world."