Liverpool Takes Bold Step with Official Offer to First Out-of-Contract Star as Trio’s Futures Take Surprising Twist
Liverpool Makes Official Move for First Out-of-Contract Star as Trio’s Futures Take an Unexpected Turn
Three Liverpool players’ contracts are set to expire in the summer of 2025.
Liverpool have extended a contract offer to Virgil van Dijk as negotiations progress, according to reports.
David Ornstein of The Athletic has revealed that the Premier League leaders have officially made an offer to the 33-year-old centre-back, hoping to resolve the “uncertainty” surrounding his future.
Van Dijk is one of three Liverpool players whose contracts are set to expire in June 2025, with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s futures also still up in the air.
The report indicates that Liverpool’s initial offer “fell short” of Virgil van Dijk’s expectations, and there has been “no breakthrough” regarding the value or duration of the proposed contract.
“Dialogue” has reportedly been ongoing for some time, with discussions also continuing between Trent Alexander-Arnold and the club.
While the outcome of these talks remains uncertain, they come amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
Ornstein also clarified that Mohamed Salah’s statement about not receiving a contract offer remained accurate as of Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, but this is expected to “change soon.”
The former Celtic defender had previously addressed his future on October 24.
“Obviously, discussions are ongoing, but I don’t know; we’ll see what happens in the future,” he said.
“My full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win the games ahead of me and nothing else,” he said.
“What the future will bring, I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have started, and we will see.”
Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2018 for a reported £75m, a fee that has been more than justified through his 288 appearances for the club.
During his time at Anfield, he has won every major trophy available, but no doubt he will be aiming to add a second Premier League title to his 2020 triumph under Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds are currently atop the league, with Arsenal and Chelsea, their closest challengers, both trailing Arne Slot’s side by nine points.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Manchester City are 11 points adrift of Liverpool.
The defender could also claim a second Champions League title, as Liverpool currently lead the 36-team group phase with a perfect record of five wins from five games.