According to Football Insider, discussions about a new deal for the club captain are expected to be delayed until late 2024
According to Football Insider, discussions about a new deal for the club captain are expected to be delayed until late 2024. This postponement is due to the prioritization of incoming transfers following Arne Slot’s recent arrival as head coach at Anfield.
Slot is keen to retain his compatriot beyond the expiration of Van Dijk’s current contract in 12 months, and the player has also expressed his desire to remain with Liverpool for the 2024/25 season at the very least.
Although focusing on new signings is crucial for Liverpool until the end of the transfer window in August, delaying Van Dijk’s contract negotiations until the festive period seems risky.
If a new deal isn’t secured by January, Van Dijk would be free to negotiate with other clubs regarding a potential Bosman move for the summer of 2025. This could lead to Liverpool losing their £75m defender without any financial return.
While it’s understandable that Liverpool wants to prioritize transfer activity during the window, it seems puzzling why the club wouldn’t aim to finalize a new deal for Van Dijk shortly after the market closes in early autumn.
Considering Van Dijk’s importance to Liverpool, despite turning 34 next summer and earning £220,000 per week (Capology), securing his future at the club should be a priority.
Eventually, Liverpool will need to find a replacement for their dominant number 4, but that transition should not happen in the immediate future.
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