Liverpool centre-back and captain Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool centre-back and captain Virgil van Dijk
With the transfer window yet to open, much of the focus in terms of squad changes continues to be centred around exiting members of the Liverpool squad. In particular, the three players who are out of contract at the end of the season.
Virgil van Dijk is joined by Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold in seeing their deals expire at the end of the campaign. All three are understood to still be in talks with Liverpool over potential extensions, but speculation has been swirling for months, claiming to provide updates on the trio's future.
A fresh report by talkSPORT has claimed that Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid as a free agent in the summer when his contract expires. Salah is also out of contract at the end of the season, and it remains to be seen if an agreement will be reached.
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When it comes to Van Dijk, reports in recent weeks have claimed that Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal are interested in signing the Liverpool captain. Speculative reports from Spain have now suggested that Van Dijk has already decided to leave Anfield when his contract expires in the summer.
Van Dijk himself dismissed any rumours claiming to provide insight into his future after Liverpool's defeat to PSG in the Champions League earlier this month. The Reds captain admitted that he was still uncertain about where he will be playing his football beyond this season.
“I have no idea. I still have no idea at the moment,” Van Dijk told reporters when asked if he will be back in the Champions League with Liverpool next season. “Genuinely. I have no idea at the moment.
“It (talks) is not on hold. Nothing on hold. There’s just… I keep saying the same thing. Listen, there are 10 games to go and that is my full focus.
“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 is about it.
“At the moment I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.”
But it's not just those comments that suggest Van Dijk has yet to make a decision on his future. It was just last month that Van Dijk outlined to former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp the close connection he has with the club and the Anfield faithful.
“I am fully committed to the club. I love the fans, I love the club," said Van Dijk in an interview for Sky Sports last month. "I’ve had such an amazing time already."
Only those within the inner circle of the negotiations will have a chance of knowing what is going to happen when it comes to Van Dijk's future. When the player himself admits he still doesn't know, it's safe to assume not many others will either.
As the weeks go on and June 30 moves closer to view, it's only natural for the speculation to ramp up even more, provided no announcement has been made. Until something is confirmed, it would be wise to still have hope that Van Dijk could still be wearing a Liverpool shirt next season, and maybe beyond.