Liverpool could end the season on a massive high, with the tantalizing prospect of a league and cup double featuring the first Premier League won in front of fans still very much on the cards. But with Virgil van Dijk transfer links emerging fresh off the back of a Champions League exit, the positive mood has taken a bit of a hit.
On the plus side, we are not in the dark about where Van Dijk stands currently amid contract negotiations with the Anfield hierarchy. He candidly admitted after the PSG loss that he has “no idea” where he will be playing next season, and that anyone who claims to know is lying.
Against that backdrop, new transfer links to Saudi Arabia are obviously far from definitive, with the captain revealing directly that his future is not yet settled. But by the same token, news of a big-money offer will not be welcome, with Richard Hughes clearly having been unable to tie down Van Dijk just yet.
Much like Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk has been a crucial piece of the puzzle under Arne Slot and his new regime. It remains difficult to contemplate a reality where all three are not at Liverpool next season, and yet each passing week makes that outcome more likely.
While Salah (Saudi Arabia) and Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid) have long had defined alternatives, it has not been clear up to now what might lie beyond Anfield for 33-year-old Van Dijk. But perhaps the smart money was always on the Saudi Pro League sticking its oar in here as well, with a credible chance to lure another of the world’s best in his position.
Just hours after Van Dijk admitted that his future was still in flux, talkSPORT broke the news that Saudi dealmakers have contacted the defender on behalf of Al-Hilal. Jorge Jesus’ side is currently second in the Pro League, behind Al-Ittihad (Fabinho’s team).
If Van Dijk were to make that move, he would form a partnership at the back with Kalidou Koulibaly. Former Barcelona player Malcom and ex Wolves star Ruben Neves are also there.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Elsewhere in the division, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Ivan Toney and Aymeric Laporte are plying their trades too. After recruitment went a little quiet for a spell, the Pro League signaled its intentions again with a major splash for Jhon Duran in January.
However, it’s thought that Van Dijk is yet to engage in any way with Saudi representatives. His focus remains on the pitch with Liverpool for the time being.
Yet after the Carabao Cup final, speculation is bound to ramp up to even higher levels. Van Dijk and the rest will only have the task of wrapping up the league, which looks all but done, meaning contract talks will take center stage.
Liverpool is said to be confident about extending the captain’s stay. But as Van Dijk himself said, nobody really knows what will happen — uncertainty that everyone will hope to resolve before too long.
