Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match Manchester United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom on 03 May 2026 (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images)
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match Manchester United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom on 03 May 2026 (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images)
Virgil van Dijk has entered the final year of his Liverpool contract and he has yet to receive an offer to extend his stay at Anfield.
The situation has fuelled suggestions that the defender, who joined Liverpool in 2018, could leave at the end of the season.
Van Dijk signed his current deal in April 2025, a two-year extension that runs until July 2027. He confirmed in September that no discussions about a new contract had taken place.
The club have not ruled out the possibility of a new deal, with reports suggesting that Liverpool are considering a 12-month contract with additional options. Formal talks are not expected to begin until the new year.
Whatever Van Dijk decides, Liverpool are also looking at long-term replacements.
Tuttomercato reports that the club are actively monitoring two main targets: Brazilian defender Murillo and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck.
Schlotterbeck is under contract at Dortmund until 2031. He is reportedly the player Liverpool’s hierarchy are most keen on, and the Reds could step up contacts with Dortmund and the defender’s representatives in the coming weeks.
Schlotterbeck signed the four-year extension in April. The deal reportedly includes a release clause worth €50m to €60m (about £42m to £50m) for selected clubs.
Reports say it will become active from summer 2027.
Murillo has a long-term contract with Nottingham Forest until 2030. He signed the deal in May and has since made over 100 appearances for the club since joining from Corinthians in August 2023.
Reports suggest Forest are under no financial pressure to sell and have no intention of letting him leave in January. However, there are also reports that the club could be open to a deal worth between £70 million and £80 million.
Liverpool have also been linked in recent weeks with Brighton defender Luka Vuskovic.
Tuttomercato describes the move as originating from Hamburg, where the player spent last season on loan. However, Brighton paid Tottenham £46 million for his transfer, with a further £4 million in performance-related add-ons.
Vuskovic has 10 senior international caps. He has started all nine of Brighton’s Premier League games this season and scored once. His form has attracted the attention of several clubs, and Real Madrid are also reported to be tracking him.
Tuttomercato says Brighton have already indicated they would only consider a sale for an offer of £100 million.
Liverpool also have Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona until 30 June 2027, with a reported option to buy for around €55m.
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