Liverpool 'has 4-man shortlist' to replace Virgil van Dijk amid contract uncertainty
Liverpool has drawn up a four-man shortlist to replace Virgil van Dijk at the end of the season, reports claim.
The Reds captain is out of contract next summer and is yet to sign a new deal with the club, leading to fears this could be his final campaign at Anfield the longer the situation remains unresolved, despite his role within the side and status as a club legend.
Should those worst fears be realized, however, then Liverpool will undoubtedly be in the market for a suitable replacement for the Dutch stalwart in order to rebuild the defense ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, especially given the uncertainty over the futures of fellow center-backs Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah.
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And according to a report from TEAMtalk, Liverpool is already targeting four defenders to replace Van Dijk; Marc Guehi, Gleison Bremer, Goncalo Inacio and Loic Bade.
Guehi and Inacio, in particular, have been most strongly linked with a move to Anfield in recent times, with both impressing at club and international level over the past 12 months. Both players are also the most high-profile out of the quartet, meaning high transfer fees will be in place.
Crystal Palace center-back Guehi became strongly linked with a move to Liverpool in the recent transfer window following his impressive performances for England at Euro 2024, although the Reds eventually backed away from any move after the Eagles set a $93million (£70m) asking price for the 24-year-old.
However, with Guehi’s contract expiring in 2026, the report adds that it is "not excluded" that Palace could be open to negotiating lower figures for the defender next summer. Guehi also has bags of Premier League experience and is arguably the most preferable option out of the four.
But Sporting CP's Inacio is also highly-regarded, having starred in Portugal in recent seasons. Like Guehi, he will cost a pretty penny, although Liverpool could be more inclined to pay his $67m (£50m) release clause next summer. At 23-years-old, he is at the ideal age to become Van Dijk's long-term successor.
Also on the reported shortlist is Brazilian defender Bremer, who currently plies his trade with Juventus in Serie A. Contracted with the Italian giants until 2029, however, Juventus will reportedly demand approximately $78m (£59m) for his services.
The 27-year-old is already vastly experienced in Europe and supposedly entering the peak of his years, although if a move doesn't happen next summer then it's unlikely to happen at all as the Reds go in search for a more younger profile.
Finally, Sevilla center-back Loic Bade is also deemed a suitable replacement for Van Dijk, given his impressive performances for France at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Furthermore, he has emerged as one of the standouts defenders in La Liga.
But like Bremer, the 24-year old recently penned a contract extension until 2029 and has a $56m (£42m) release clause in his deal. According to TEAMtalk, though, Liverpool will try and negotiate a lower price if it moves for him in the coming months.