Liverpool must immediately reverse Virgil van Dijk contract decision after Saudi 'offer'

Liverpool has a trio of incredibly important contract decisions which need to be made this summer. The Reds have three vital players who could – as things stand – leave for free at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.

The club cannot afford for that to happen with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, the men in question. If any of them wishes to leave Liverpool then so be it but the Reds must ensure they receive a transfer fee in return.

It could prove to be a baptism of fire for new sporting director Richard Hughes, and by extension, Jürgen Klopp’s replacement Arne Slot. The news cycle often moves very quickly in football and a stance the club took less than one week ago may need to be urgently changed thanks to developments elsewhere.

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The oldest of the trio who are down to the final year of their current deals is van Dijk. That helps explain why Liverpool is reportedly relaxed about his contract situation. It was reported by Football Insider earlier this week that the club is putting talks on hold regarding a new deal for the Dutch defender until the end of the year as they focus on incoming business ahead of Slot’s first campaign.

It is unsurprising that nothing was planned on the Van Dijk contract front at present, as he is about to represent Netherlands at Euro 2024, alongside his Liverpool teammates Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch. However, the relaxed air in the corridors of power at the club may have dissipated at the news which has recently emerged from the Saudi Pro League.

It has been reported by Marca that Al-Nassr is hoping to make Van Dijk an offer he can’t refuse. It is looking to make the 32-year-old the best-paid defender in the world, a move which would likely see his current salary double (or thereabouts).

Even if Van Dijk has no interest in joining up with former teammate Sadio Mané at Al-Nassr, the fact its offer exists strengthens his bargaining position while weakening Liverpool’s standing at the discussion table. At the very least, the interest from the Saudi Pro League means the Reds simply cannot wait until the end of 2024 before opening negotiations with Virgil’s team.

Liverpool already needs to sign defensive reinforcements, so is in no position to lose its best center-back and someone who remains one of the finest defenders in the game. In a period of transition, it cannot afford to lose Van Dijk - and the interest from Saudi Arabia means it must reverse its decision to put talks on hold until the end of the year.