According to a daring new rumor, Liverpool has been informed that Virgil van Dijk has confirmed his decision to leave this summer, with the player ready to take advantage of a ‘unique opportunity’ to transfer overseas and having ‘already initiated negotiations’ – yet TEAMtalk can disclose the reality behind the supposition.
The Dutchman joined Liverpool in January 2018 and has played a key role in the club’s success since then. Van Dijk, a seven-time trophy winner, will look to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time as club captain this season, capping up Arne Slot’s outstanding first season in charge.
While Liverpool’s Premier League win will be met with wild celebrations at Anfield, there is still a sense of what could have been after the Reds were eliminated from the Champions League earlier this month and lost the Carabao Cup final to a more determined Newcastle.
As a result of disappointment, coupled with the fact that he can secure a lucrative free transfer overseas this summer, it’s now been claimed that Van Dijk has ‘decided to end his time at Liverpool’, with those’recent disappointments’ leading Van Dijk to’say his goodbyes’ and prompting the player to’seek new horizons’.
According to Fijaches, Van Dijk ‘feels it’s time for a change’ since ‘the lack of recent success has damaged his motivation’, and a European major ‘has already began negotiations’ over a move.
They add: “The most talked-about destination in recent days is Paris Saint-Germain.” The French powerhouse, which is always looking for excellent defensive reinforcements, saw Van Dijk as a rare opportunity to sign him as a free agent.
‘Despite the competition for his signature, PSG is keen on bringing the defender to the Parc des Princes, where he will be part of a high-level project.’
‘With the potential of a free transfer, the market for Van Dijk has soared, with numerous European clubs vying for his signature. However, PSG appears to have the upper hand, considering their interest and the prominence he has garnered in recent days.
What are the truths concerning Van Dijk’s future and his links to PSG?
Despite those claims in Spain, sources tell us that it is still too early to state with any certainty that Van Dijk has opted to quit.
His contract offer from the Reds, which was first presented to his representatives in November, is still on the table but has yet to be signed. For that reason, and until the ink on any new contract has dried, Liverpool will be afraid that their captain will be seduced away, despite the fact that there is still hope that he will stay.
When contacted about the claims on Monday morning, Liverpool told BBC transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher that they have ‘no news’ concerning their captain or his future plans.
In the meantime, Foot Mercato journalist Josue Casse last week moved to play down talk of a move to the French capital for the 33-year-old, insisting that ‘there is no link between PSG and Van Dijk’.
Clearing up the rumours, he wrote: ‘To date, and contrary to rumours in the English press, there is no link between PSG and Virgil van Dijk The Reds defender’s contract is out, and rumours are rife, but nothing has happened regarding the capital club.
‘PSG currently boasts a central defensive line that combines experience (Marquinhos) with youth (Beraldo, Pacho). The discussion in the corridors of Anfield was in no way linked to his future.’
Van Dijk himself also addressed his future in the build-up to the Carabao Cup final, stating: “Before the end of the season there’s going to be news.
“As long as I’m fully committed and have my full focus on the task ahead, and I love the club, that’s the main thing. That’s who I am.”
But in the wake of those comments, one controversial pundit hit out at the player, questioning his ‘role model’ image and suggesting the player is not as squeaky-clean as he likes to portray.
Liverpool transfer latest: Salah decision revealed; ‘speed demon’ to sign
In addition to Van Dijk, claims in Spain on Monday morning have revealed that Trent Alexander-Arnold has this weekend rejected the Reds’ final contract offer to him and with details on when a move to Real Madrid will be confirmed.
Should the 26-year-old depart, many will feel the Reds will look to sign a replacement and now it’s been claimed that Liverpool are close to signing ‘speed demon’ Jeremie Frimpong as a replacement, with a report revealing that the Bayer Leverkusen right-back wanted to join Real Madrid and why Los Blancos have decided against a move for him.
However, there is brighter news on Mo Salah’s future, with Liverpool informed by a former star that the Egyptian is totally committed to signing a new contract, and FSG promised the star’s fitness in two, three, and four years.
Finally, Slot has been questioned about his choice to recruit Giorgi Mamardashvili, with Caiomhin Kelleher paying a high price for his arrival and a former Reds goalkeeper explaining how he believes Liverpool will utilize the Georgian alongside indisputable No.1 Alisson Becker next season.
IN-FOCUS: Van Dijk’s Contribution to Liverpool’s Trophy Success
