Amid swirling rumours, a Paris Saint-Germain official has categorically denied that Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk’s post-match exchange with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi at Anfield has any bearing on a potential move as a free agent this summer. This clarification comes after PSG sent the Reds packing from the Champions League last Tuesday, securing its victory on penalties following a 1-0 win over 120 minutes of play.
Speculation was rife when Van Dijk was caught on camera conversing with PSG’s top executive Al-Khelaifi after the match, leading to wild conjecture on social media about the Dutch defender potentially plotting a transfer to Paris once his current deal lapses at season’s end. FSG is yet to reach an agreement with the captain, with Richard Hughes also yet to secure the futures of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, the true nature of Van Dijk’s conversation is believed to be far less controversial; it seems the 33-year-old defender merely wanted to convey his respect for PSG, possibly referencing an incident from the prior week’s clash in Paris. A video had surfaced online featuring Van Dijk telling PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos “this is not Ligue 1, bro” in response to PSG’s apparent frustration over Ibrahima Konate not receiving a red card during the opening half at Parc des Princes.
Liverpool had seized a one-nil lead in the first leg thanks to a last-gasp strike by Harvey Elliott, only for Ousmane Dembele to equalise during the return leg in Liverpool before the tie was ultimately decided by penalties. Salah was the only one to convert his spot kick for the Reds.
PSG has since publicly dispelled the notion that the conversation had anything to do with transfer matters. A spokesperson for the club explicitly addressed the speculation.
“I don’t understand why this video has caused such a huge controversy on social media,” expressed Pascal Ferre, director of press and media at PSG, in a statement to 365scores. “The conversation between Van Dijk, the club president, and also the sporting director was completely natural and spontaneous.
“Our president did not discuss any negotiations to sign the player, and everything rumored about this is false. The discussion was friendly, and the club president has the utmost respect for Van Dijk.”
(Image: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Addressing his future prospects last Friday, Van Dijk remarked: “Listen, [possibly waiting until the season is over] is definitely the case, so we will see what happens. Maybe I will run this [contract] fully down and then there is still no news, I don’t know.
“I don’t know at this stage and I said that the other day [after the PSG game]. But I don’t want to create any anxiety or anything like that, I just keep my head down and focus on hopefully winning the next 10 games and that is my full focus: to be there for the manager, the players, the fans.
“So let’s see what it brings and I am sure by the end of the season there will be news. But what kind of news I am not sure. Well at the moment I can’t [see myself at another club] because there are still 10 games to go. I can’t think about what is going to happen after the summer.
“Like I said, the most important thing is to stay committed and I am fully committed to Liverpool Football Club at the moment and there is no doubt about that. You can see that, there is no other thing that is about so let’s just see.”
The Reds suffered a defeat in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley yesterday. However, they are still on track to end the season with a trophy, having established a 12-point lead at the summit of the Premier League.
