The latest on Liverpool’s contract situation, as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk near the end of their contracts.
Liverpool contract rumors have continued this week, with Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all the focus.
According to the most recent reports, his departure is nearly complete, with Real Madrid licking their lips and waiting for his contract to expire. It was claimed earlier this week that Alexander-Arnold’s move to Spain is ’99 percent’ complete, after rejecting a new contract offer from his boyhood club.
Liverpool are ‘confident’ Virgil Van Dijk will sign a new deal.
The futures of his colleagues are less clear, although fans remain hopeful that Van Dijk and Salah will stay beyond this summer. Despite the agonisingly slow pace of contract negotiations, David Ornstein has stated that Liverpool are ‘confident’ that at least their captain would agree to new Anfield terms.
“All parties are undervaluing Van Dijk’s contribution to PSG. Liverpool are optimistic that he will stay at Anfield,” he said.
Ornstein was also quizzed on Salah, and whether any new steps had been taken towards him signing a new contract. He admitted that while things remain relatively quiet at the club, the Reds remain ‘optimistic’ they can tie both Van Dijk and Salah down beyond this season.
“Not that I’m personally aware of. This doesn’t mean there aren’t any, it may just be that it hasn’t come to the media/public attention yet.
“I just know Liverpool have been optimistic for some time that they will reach an agreement because, ultimately, they want Salah to stay and there is a belief that he is happy and would like the same. Now, of course, the numbers will need to be right (on what we think is a proposed two-year extension) and clearly that has not been easy… but there has so far been nothing to indicate talks have stopped or are not moving in a positive direction.”
Ornstein has also stated that he does not believe the recent Champions League and Carabao Cup exits would have any impact on contract negotiations. If the Reds can reach new agreements with Van Dijk and Salah, it will be a significant statement from the club and fantastic news for fans who have been concerned about losing such crucial players.
Salah and Van Dijk’s wages could pose a problem for Liverpool.
Of course, when it comes to player contracts, supporters will only get specific answers until the team makes an official statement. Until then, we should anticipate conflicting reports to persist.
According to journalist Tony Evans, both Salah and Van Dijk have’made it clear’ that they want to stay at Anfield and are not seeking additional money to do so.
“They don’t want a pay increase. They will stay for the same pay,” he told talkSPORT. “What was intriguing was that a year ago, soon after Jurgen Klopp departed, I was speaking with individuals at the club, and they said, ‘Trent is the focus’.
“The other two were paid well, and they stated that their money would not be kept; instead, they would be recycled into new players. And I believe the decision-making process began long ago, when they calculated the ‘wage to age’ ratio.
“I think they’re going to make a mistake with Salah and Van Dijk and I fear we will lose the backbone of the team in the summer.”
According to Ornstein’s update, Liverpool is eager to hear discussions from their star tandem about contract negotiations, and hopefully the money involved will not be a stumbling barrier.
