Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hinted that he might transfer away from the membership this summer time. The 33-year-old central defender’s future with the Reds has come beneath query since January. This got here at a time when now-former supervisor Jurgen Klopp opted to step away from the workforce. The German’s ultimate match in command of Liverpool got here in a Premier League victory on Might nineteenth.
Following Klopp’s announcement six months in the past, Van Dijk claimed that he was uncertain if he would return with out the supervisor. The middle again, nonetheless, rapidly backtracked his authentic assertion. Forward of Klopp’s final match on the helm, the Dutch defender asserted that he was “very completely satisfied” on the membership. He even acknowledged that he wished to be a part of the massive transition on the membership.
However, Van Dijk has now reopened the door of a possible Liverpool departure as soon as once more. Not solely did he counsel as soon as once more that he might depart the membership, however he additionally hinted at probably retiring from the nationwide workforce. Talking after the Netherlands had been knocked out of Euro 2024 by England, the defender admitted he has lots of pondering to do.
“I haven’t the slightest concept proper now,” the veteran Dutchman advised reporters on Wednesday. “I’ll consider carefully this summer time about what I would like at membership stage and as a global participant. Then we’ll go for it once more, however first get better from this.”
“After a season like this, the place every kind of issues have occurred, it will get emotional on the finish as a result of you realize it’s over.”
Dutch defender nonetheless performing effectively regardless of age
Regardless of his age, Van Dijk remains to be broadly thought-about one of many prime central defenders within the Premier League. Liverpool might have stumbled down the stretch in the course of the latter levels of the newest season, however it was not essentially due to their captain. The veteran didn’t make an official error resulting in an opponent’s shot throughout the whole top-flight season. Because of this, Van Dijk was included in World Soccer Speak‘s Premier League workforce of the season.
Assuming he does wish to depart Liverpool, the center-back will definitely obtain consideration within the switch market. Van Dijk at the moment solely has one yr remaining on his present contract. Gamers can usually be purchased for much less cash in these specific conditions. In any case, the Reds would doubtless choose to promote their star this summer time, somewhat than watch him stroll away without cost in 2025.
Van Dijk is, nonetheless, making a big wage at Liverpool. In keeping with studies, he’s raking in almost $15 million per yr. That is at the moment the second-highest annual wage of any participant within the squad. Solely famous person ahead Mohamed Salah supposedly makes more cash than the membership’s captain. Due to this huge wage, groups will virtually definitely should not less than come near providing Van Dijk an identical deal.
Saudi Arabian membership more likely to reignite curiosity in Van Dijk
One specific membership that might afford the Liverpool star is Al-Nassr. The Saudi Professional League aspect has been linked with Van Dijk for months now and isn’t afraid to splash the money. It stays to be seen if the Dutchman would wish to transfer to the Center East, however the upcoming weeks will assist decide his future.
After receiving a break free from the pitch, Van Dijk will return to Liverpool for preseason preparations. Conferences with new head coach Arne Slot might very effectively be essential within the defender’s final determination. The man Dutchman will definitely wish to persuade his captain to stay at Anfield.
However, the defender probably opting to go away would solely compound the huge ongoing modifications on the membership. Together with Klopp and probably Van Dijk, Salah’s future is seemingly up within the air as effectively. Like his defensive teammate, the Egyptian attacker’s deal expires in 2025.
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