Overview
- Reports on Thursday say Virgil van Dijk has one year left on his contract and Liverpool plan internal talks this season about whether to offer him an extension.
- Former scout Mick Brown and other outlets report clubs in the Saudi Pro League, Major League Soccer and Turkey are prepared to make big-money offers that could tempt van Dijk to leave.
- The club added centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo this summer and have Giovanni Leoni returning from injury as part of preparations for life after van Dijk.
- Liverpool are also reported to be monitoring longer-term targets such as Newcastle's Malick Thiaw, who is under contract until 2029 and has been linked with a fee around £65m–£70m.
- The decision forces Liverpool to balance the sporting risk of losing van Dijk's leadership and organisation against the financial reality of heavy wages for an ageing player and the cost of replacement.