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Incoming Liverpool boss Arne Slot is reportedly planning crunch talks with Virgil van Dijk after (Image: Getty)
Prospective Liverpool boss Arne Slot is planning crunch talks with Virgil van Dijk over the defender’s future. Van Dijk is reportedly ‘disappointed’ over Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave Anfield and has transfer interest from abroad. The influential Liverpool captain has only a year remaining on his contract and is reportedly not rushing to extend his terms.
With the Klopp era set to end, Van Dijk is at a crossroads and has not decided where he wants to end his career. Borussia Dortmund are reportedly interested in a potential deal for the 32-year-old. Clubs in Spain, Italy, Turkey and the Netherlands also harbour hopes of landing the Dutchman over the coming months. Van Dijk is said to want to remain at the highest possible level and possesses huge drive and ambition.
He has won an FA Cup, two League Cups and reached a Champions League final since returning from a serious knee injury in 2021. Slot is therefore keen to keep the experienced centre-back as the incoming head coach plots Liverpool’s new era. According to the Mirror, the Dutch tactician is planning ‘urgent’ discussions with Van Dijk over where he sees himself playing next season. Liverpool have agreed a £9.4million deal to lure Slot from Dutch outfit Feyenoord.
The move is expected to be finalised over the coming months. Amid a huge summer of change, the 44-year-old is likely to want as much continuity as possible. Convincing Van Dijk to stay could be crucial, especially if Liverpool sell Mohamed Salah during the transfer window. Clubs in Saudi Arabia are set to rekindle their interest in Salah over the coming months.
Like Van Dijk, the Egyptian only has a year remaining on his contract and the Reds will not have as much negotiating power as they did 12 months ago when they turned down record bids for the winger. The Liverpool star came off the substitutes’ bench at London Stadium and angrily exchanged words with his manager. Liverpool came from behind to lead 2-1 but conceded a Michail Antonio goal in the 77th minute. Arsenal and Manchester City both have games in hand over the Reds and have more points, with the Gunners on 77 and City on 76.