According to Ben Jacobs, Liverpool captain van Dijk is still in talks with the club over a new contract and his future has yet to be decided. Van Dijk said he could not confirm his future at the moment as negotiations were still going on behind the scenes and he was focused on the team’s remaining 10 games.
Van Dijk’s preferred option is to extend his contract with Liverpool and he has not opened talks with other clubs such as Riyadh Crescent in the Saudi League or Paris in France. It is a change from the previous departure of Firmino, who only held talks with other clubs after making it clear to Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp that he was keen for a new challenge.
Van Dik’s renewal negotiations have been influenced by several factors, including his age, the potential demotion of his role during the new contract, and Liverpool’s calm and rational approach to the renewal decision. Liverpool want van Dijk to stay, but the length and salary of his contract will be determined strictly based on data.
Liverpool are optimistic van Dijk will sign a new contract and although no agreement has been reached, talks are not at an impasse. Van Dijk will also need to consider next season, in particular whether Liverpool will sign another central defender this summer and how the 2026 World Cup will affect him.
The Saudi league’s Riyadh Crescent is interested in Van Dijk and plans to sign several big names ahead of this summer’s club World Cup, but Van Dijk has made no contact with them so far. Even if van Dijk re-signs with Liverpool, he is unlikely to make contact with Riyadh Crescent.
There is no substance to reports that PSG president Nasser and van Dijk met after Liverpool’s Champions League exit. It was a casual hug, a sign of mutual respect, not a transfer talk. Van Dijk has not received any offer from Paris at the moment.
Whether van Dijk stays or goes, Liverpool will be the first to know. Van Dijk is now focused on the Carling Cup final and Liverpool expect him to continue to contribute in the future.
