Liverpool has only one move to stop inevitable amid Virgil van Dijk transfer rumors

Liverpool knew heading into this summer that it was going to be a big one. A new head coach has arrived with a new set-up behind the scenes and there are several major transfer and contract decisions to be made. The one thing it could do without is any additional headaches on top of an already lengthy to-do list that needs whittling through.

It has been reported this week by the Spanish outlet Marca that Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr is set to make Reds captain Virgil van Dijk a contract offer he 'can’t refuse'. But while it is looking to make the 32-year-old the best-paid defender in the world, a move that would see his current salary dramatically increase, the Reds, the ECHO reports, are yet to receive any contact regarding the player.

On two fronts, such transfer speculation is as inevitable as it is unlikely to lead to anything. Firstly, it is in the interest of Saudi clubs to make it seem like they are going for the very best players in the world and Van Dijk fits that category perfectly. He is also someone who is still in his prime, unlike many of the stars who have previously made the move to the Middle East, with the region looking to attract more players who are not considered over the hill.

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Secondly, and probably more significantly, Van Dijk is now heading into the final year of his Anfield contract. It is not unusual for players who reach this point of their deal to end up leaving on a free transfer, though there is no suggestion yet that this is the way it will end for the Dutchman on Merseyside.

For one thing, Van Dijk himself has expressed a desire to remain put and is comfortable at Liverpool, where he has only been captain for a season after taking over from Jordan Henderson. On top of that, Liverpool also has Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold to tie down beyond 2025 and they can't all leave for nothing.

Van Dijk remains near the very top of his game and Liverpool will have no temptation to lose the player no matter the offer. Finding a replacement of the same standing would be impossible and he is a major part of the dressing room — with a new manager, continuity in the leadership group will be even more important than usual.

With Jurgen Klopp leaving and multiple appointments having taken place behind the scenes, it has already been a period of change for Liverpool this summer and there has been plenty going on. As a result, contract negotiations, while they are important, are not the first thing that needs to be taken care of.

Arne Slot is still on holiday for the time being and there is still ample time for serious negotiations to take place. Van Dijk himself, like Alexander-Arnold, is currently away with his country with the European Championship set to begin, and Salah will head on holiday after his international exertions with Egypt.

Until contract negotiations at least begin, though, you can expect the Van Dijk speculation to continue. The same can be said of Salah, who is also wanted by the Saudi Pro League and would instantly become the top target should he show any inkling of a desire for that move to happen, while Alexander-Arnold and links with Real Madrid are unlikely to disappear either for the exact same reason.

Quite simply, the only way that Liverpool can stop such speculation emerging is to tie each of the players down to extended deals. Until that happens, it is inevitable that it will have to bat away rumors about exits — and the last thing it should want is for that to drag into the start of the new season, which is now only eight weeks away.