Liverpool Make Major Contract Progress with Key Star; Potential Announcement Date Revealed

Liverpool have reportedly made significant progress in their efforts to secure a contract extension with Virgil van Dijk, with speculation pointing to a possible announcement on a significant date in the club’s history.

Since joining Liverpool from Southampton for a then-record £75m fee in 2018, Van Dijk, now 33, has been a transformative figure for the team.

At the time of his transfer, the Dutch defender became the world’s most expensive defender, a title later overtaken by Harry Maguire’s £80m move to Manchester United 18 months later.

Van Dijk, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, is currently in the final year of his contract at Anfield. Securing new deals for all three stars has been a priority for Liverpool.

According to Anfield Watch on November 28, Van Dijk is expected to be the first to extend his stay, with the report confidently stating he is ‘staying.’

This claim has been further supported by TBR Football, which described Van Dijk’s contract extension as ‘a matter of time.’ Reports suggest Liverpool have made significant strides in negotiations with Van Dijk’s representatives, and the defender is now believed to be ‘set to sign’ a new deal that will extend his impressive tenure at the club.

Graeme Bailey, the author of the TBR Football report, speculated on a possible announcement date for the extension. He hinted that Liverpool might unveil the new contract on December 27.

This date holds sentimental value for the club, as it was on December 27 in 2017 that Liverpool first announced their agreement with Southampton for Van Dijk’s transfer.

Per Bailey, “it wouldn’t be a surprise if [Liverpool] lined up the announcement of this contract extension to fall on the exact same day.”

According to TEAMtalk, Virgil van Dijk is likely to agree to a two-year contract extension. This new deal would see him remain at Liverpool until the end of the 2026/27 season, by which time he will be 35 years old.

According to insider Fraser Gillan, Van Dijk was always considered the most likely among himself, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah to finalize a new deal first. Once Van Dijk’s contract extension is officially announced, Liverpool will shift their focus to securing agreements with Alexander-Arnold and Salah.

Liverpool sources have expressed confidence regarding Alexander-Arnold’s situation, despite persistent interest from Real Madrid. While the right-back currently earns less than Van Dijk and Salah, Liverpool plans to offer him a new deal that matches the wages of the club’s top earners.

Encouragingly, sources have also revealed that Alexander-Arnold has expressed a desire to captain Liverpool in the future. This opportunity is expected to arise once Van Dijk eventually departs, but for Alexander-Arnold to achieve this ambition, he must remain committed to the club.

Regarding Salah, Liverpool sources have downplayed concerns over his future despite his recent public comments suggesting he might leave. Negotiations are reportedly ongoing, with progress expected in the coming weeks.

It’s important to note that public statements like Salah’s are sometimes strategic, aimed at expediting negotiations or pressuring the other party. In this case, there’s a belief that Salah’s remarks were intended to prompt Liverpool into action.

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