Liverpool will reportedly use the upcoming international break to work on new contracts for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
The key duo are both set to become free agents at the end of the season, and although both men have previously stated their keenness to stay at the club beyond the summer, seemingly little progress has been made in negotiations with either player.
TBR Football says that both players remain open to staying at Anfield, while Arne Slot is also eager to keep them, and that hope remains that agreements will be reached with both players in the coming weeks.
It is claimed that Liverpool’s failure to commit either player to a new contract is purely due to Van Dijk and Salah being unhappy with the terms that have so far been offered to them, rather than either player wanting to leave.
Both players have been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia, with L’Equipe reporting earlier this week that Al-Hilal has offered Van Dijk a salary worth $22 million per year net.
Meanwhile, Liverpool is said to be keeping tabs on Ecuadorian teenager Johan Martinez, who has been likened to Ousmane Dembele.
TEAMtalk refers to Martinez as a “prodigy” and says that both Liverpool and Manchester City are keeping tabs on the 15-year-old attacker.
Martinez currently plays for Independiente del Valle, the same side that produced Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo; Caicedo was signed from Independiente by Brighton in 2021, and it is reported that Brighton is also among the clubs interested in Martinez.
The youngster apparently has incredible dribbling skills and is competent with both feet, which have prompted the comparisons with Dembele.
While Liverpool is in the market for high-profile, senior additions during the summer transfer window, the Reds are well aware that there is value to be had in signing youngsters from lesser-known soccer nations.
