Virgil van Dijk already gave clear Liverpool message amid 'record-breaking' Saudi Arabia offer

Virgil van Dijk is being linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. It has been claimed that Al-Nassr wishes to make the Liverpool captain the world's best-paid defender.

If the Dutchman were to make the move, he would be reuniting with former Reds colleague Sadio Mané. Other famous names at the club include Cristiano Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte and Marcelo Brozovic.

Al-Nassr finished runner-up behind Al-Hilal this season. While it only scored one goal fewer than the champion, it conceded almost twice as many (42 versus 23). It is clear why the club would target a defender with the caliber of Van Dijk.

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The 32-year-old only has 12 months remaining on his current contract. If Liverpool was to receive a sizeable bid from another team, be that in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere – Bayern Munich have also been linked – then it would be remiss of the club not to at least consider the possibility of a sale.

The rumor regarding Al-Nassr’s interest originated in Spain with Marca. It claims the Saudi side has met with Van Dijk’s representatives and made an offer which would make him the "highest-paid defender in the world."

According to FBRef, the holder of that title in Europe’s big five leagues is David Alaba of Real Madrid. To top his pay packet, Al-Nassr would have to almost double van Dijk’s current salary.

The Netherlands international has given no indication that he is looking to leave, as he explained when speaking after Liverpool beat Wolves 2-0 on the final day of the season. "I am very excited [for the future], especially next season,” he said (via Liverpool Echo).

Van Dijk made similar comments when speaking to Sky Sports at the Monaco Grand Prix last month. He was asked if he thought there would be a ‘pain-free’ transition from Jürgen Klopp to new head coach Arne Slot.

"I hope so,” Van Dijk said. “Obviously I have full trust in the club and all the decisions going forward. It's exciting as well. Change is always a bit in the unknown, but I have got full confidence and am looking forward to the new season already,” he added.

These aren’t the words of someone looking to change clubs. The rumors will continue until Van Dijk agrees a new Liverpool contract though.

Liverpool.com says: The idea of becoming the best-paid defender in the world could turn anyone's head but it's not as if Van Dijk is not well renumerated already. He remains one of the best center-backs in the Premier League so could still play at a higher standard than the Saudi Pro League even if he was looking to leave Liverpool. But there has been no suggestion that he is, which will be a relief for Reds fans everywhere.