Virgil van Dijk is no closer to agreeing a new contract at Liverpool and will be leaving the club on a free transfer as things stand - though he still has another two months to thrash out fresh terms
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A disappointed Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool future remains up in the air (Image: 2025 AMA Sports Photo Agency)
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is coming towards the end of his spell at Anfield - unless he can agree new terms with the club over a new contract. The Dutchman will become a free agent this summer as things stand and Liverpool have just two months before they lose him for nothing.
The centre-back is still regarded as one of the best defenders around and the club will be frustrated to let him slip through their fingertips after his influential performances to help the team go 15 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table.
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Van Dijk has featured 311 times for the Reds, scoring 26 times, and has won practically every trophy possible at Anfield as he closes on his second Premier League title.
With no news coming either way about Van Dijk's future, Mirror Football has broken down his contract situation, what he has said about leaving Liverpool and clubs said to be interested.
READ MORE: Curtis Jones admits he wasn’t having ‘dig’ at Jurgen Klopp as he clarifies commentREAD MORE: Truth behind Virgil van Dijk's chat with PSG chiefs as transfer stance revealed
Contract news coming soon
Van Dijk has looked the most likely to stay out of the trio of Liverpool players who are headed for free agency - and he teased there would be news "soon" that will set the record straight on his future either way.
He was speaking to the media about the disappointment of losing the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle before being asked about whether he would sign a new deal.
Previously he has refused to comment on speculation but this time offered a tease that he might in fact commit his future to the club.
"Before the end of the season there’s going to be news," Van Dijk said. "As long as I’m fully committed and have my full focus on the task ahead, and I love the club, that’s the main thing. That’s who I am."
Liverpool
Van Dijk teased a new deal after confirming there would be news on his future soon
Van Dijk hits out at "liars"
It's fair to say the calm statement Van Dijk gave on his future at Wembley was a far cry from the angry retort he gave after being pressed on whether he was staying after Liverpool's defeat to PSG.
He gave a far more frosty response, which came just days before his new update after the Newcastle game, as he insisted he didn't know what would happen this summer and that anyone else who stated otherwise was a "liar".
“I’ve no idea," he said. “I still have no idea at the moment. Genuinely, I have no idea at the moment. Talks aren’t on hold, nothing’s on hold. I keep saying the same thing. Listen, there are 10 games to go and that’s my full focus.
Virgil van Dijk
The Dutchman hit out at liars speculating on his future(Image: Prime Video Sport)
“If there is news you guys will know it. I don’t even know myself. Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes, but that’s about it.
“At the moment I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they’re lying to your face.”
Van Dijk speaks to PSG chief
Van Dijk must be getting increasingly irritated over constant rumours and speculation about his future, which only increased after he was seen speaking to PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi after the loss to PSG.
Understandably, fans who saw the exchange immediately speculated that Van Dijk could be in line for a free transfer to the French champions.
It was reported by the French trades, as well as pictures of Van Dijk speaking to the club's transfer chief Luis Campos in the tunnel at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk speaks to the PSG president after the PSG game
Virgil van Dijk speaks to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after the final whistle
However, French football expert Julien Laurens quickly clarified that there was "nothing" in stories linking Van Dijk with PSG.
He said: "There is nothing between PSG and Virgil Van Dijk. No talks, no negotiations, no 100m signing on fee offer. Nothing. Virgil had a chat with Luis Campos and Nasser Al Khelaifi after the Champions League second leg and it wasn’t about his future but about the two games they played."
Slot makes stance clear on Van Dijk future
It seems more likely than not that Van Dijk will end up committing his future to Liverpool - especially in the wake of his comments teasing a new deal.
And his manager has made it clear that he sees a future for the Dutchman at Anfield beyond the end of the season too.
Van Dijk has been crucial for Arne Slot this season after starting all 29 of Liverpool's Premier League games and all but one of their Champions League fixtures.
Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot
Arne Slot has insited he wants the defender to stay at Anfield beyond this season
Slot kept things simple when asked about whether Van Dijk would stay at a recent press conference.
"The only thing I know is that I want Virgil to be here next season, and all the rest, his talks about contracts, that's not what I do over here," he said. "(But) it doesn't impact on planning for next season, not for me, no."
Saudi move not favoured
One thing that seems clear on Van Dijk is that, should he leave Liverpool, it won't be for the Saudi Pro League.
The former Celtic and Southampton star should have plenty of interest from some of the major leagues in Europe and although the riches of Saudi would be surely tempting, he won't be headed there - at least according to his national team boss Ronaldo Koeman.
“Whether he signs with Liverpool or another big club, that’s all good for me," said Koeman on Thursday. "We’ll see what happens, and what I understand from Virgil is that he is still looking for the level he is at now.”
Van Dijk will be aware he won't have too many chances to test his abilities in leagues like Serie A or La Liga and should be confident of playing at least another two years at the top level.
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