TBR Football understands that Liverpool are still working hard to tie Virgil van Dijk down to a new contract despite three big clubs watching him live recently.
The Dutchman, along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, has entered the final few months of his contract, and as things stand, he can leave Anfield on a free transfer this summer.
Liverpool have been in talks with Van Dijk’s camp over a new contract for several months now, but the two parties have not reached an agreement just yet.
That has alerted several big clubs across Europe, and three of them were even in attendance during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this week.
Arne Slot’s side, however, are not giving up on keeping their skipper.
Three clubs watched Virgil van Dijk during PSG vs Liverpool
TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has been informed that Liverpool are continuing to work hard on a deal for Virgil van Dijk, but interest is continuing to mount in the Dutch star.
Van Dijk has enjoyed an outstanding campaign with many lauding him as the world’s best central defender. However, Liverpool are yet to tie him down to a new contract – meaning he could walk away from Anfield for nothing in the summer.
Liverpool sources insist that they are continuing to work hard on Van Dijk and a prospective new deal. They were close to agreeing terms late last year, but hurdles have emerged, and TBR Football understands that the main obstacle has been the length of contract, but not the only one.
Van Dijk wants to stay and his camp have made that clear to other clubs throughout the last 12 months, but as TBR Football revealed – rival sides have been in constant contact with his people to make sure they were aware of what could be on offer elsewhere.
Van Dijk’s camp insist they are not talking to other clubs at this point, but they can’t do anything about rivals making approaches – something they are allowed to do with the Dutchman’s deal expiring in a matter of months.
TBR Football revealed last month that Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus were all keeping an eye on Van Dijk’s situation – along with clubs from the Saudi Pro League.
We can now reveal that Real, Atletico and Bayern were represented at PSG’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday. Publicly, they insist that they were merely scouting possible future Champions League opponents, but they would no doubt have had one eye on Van Dijk – who was in imperious form as his side kept a clean-sheet in the French capital.
As it stands, Liverpool are due to lose van Dijk this summer – along with Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are also out-of-contract in the summer.
What Virgil van Dijk has said about his future
Van Dijk has not allowed his contract situation to be a distraction on the pitch.
The Dutch international has had a tremendous campaign so far, and he is among the biggest reasons why the Reds are the favourites to win the Premier League.
In an interview on Sky Sports in February, Van Dijk revealed that he doesn’t know where he will be next season, but he confirmed that talks are ongoing with Liverpool over a new deal.
Van Dijk said: “I can’t speak about personal conversations that have obviously been going on for a while. I can only say that I am fully committed to the club. I’ve mentioned it before, I love the fans, I love the club.
“I’ve had such an amazing time already, and let’s see what the future brings. As long as I’m calm, I think the rest of the world can stay calm as well. When there’s a definite answer on my future, it’ll probably be out.”
The Liverpool captain ended that topic by saying: “What will happen in the future, at this point, I have no idea. But I think in the next couple of months, there will definitely be some information.”
