Liverpool offer Virgil van Dijk new contract and are set to finally try to tie Mo Salah down to new deal
LIVERPOOL captain Virgil van Dijk has been offered a new contract, according to reports.
The Prem leaders, who are nine points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea, are now expected to follow suit by offering Mohamed Salah an extension.
The Reds are bidding to end uncertainty over Van Dijk’s future by tying the Netherlands star down to a new agreement.
The defender, who earns £220,000-per-week, is amongst a trio of Liverpool stars at risk of being allowed to leave the club for free.
Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and the club’s highest earner Salah all have a few months remaining on their deals.
But Liverpool have kicked things off with an opening bid to keep Van Dijk, 33, beyond June, according to The Athletic.
However, the proposal reportedly fell short of his expectations and so far there has been no breakthrough on the value or length of an extension.
All three are Liverpool legends and have played a crucial role in the Reds’ brilliant start to the season under new boss Arne Slot.
Liverpool have also taken “concrete steps” in contract negotiations with Salah.
The 32-year-old winger’s future has taken precedence among fans and media.
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The Egyptian superstar had dropped multiple hints that his eight-year reign at Anfield might be coming to an end.
After Sunday’s 2-0 win over Man City, he said: “Honestly that’s what’s in my head — this is in all probability the last City game I will play for Liverpool so I am just going to enjoy it.
“The atmosphere was incredible so I will enjoy every second here.”
Last month he told Sky Sports that “no offer” had been made to extend his stay.
So far the club’s owners, FSG, have refused to bow to his wage demands and he knows there would be mega money on offer in the Saudi Pro League.
Salah again underlined his importance to the Reds and their title pursuit as he took his tally for the season to 13.
Boyhood Liverpool fan Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, has also not been offered a contract extension yet.
He has been repeatedly linked with a move away to join England best pal Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid.
In theory, the 26-year-old right-back is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club in January, with his current contract set to expire in June.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk and Salah have started every Prem game this season, as has midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
Salah previously signed a long-term extension in 2022 at a time when his future was under similar concern before putting pen-to-paper on a £350,000-per-week deal.
Liverpool currently sit top of the Prem with 34 points from a possible 39, having only lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest.
Five Mo Salah strops at Liverpool
Five times things have got heated during Mo Salah’s Liverpool career.
West Ham 2 Liverpool 2 – April 28, 2024
Salah gets into a heated argument with Klopp as he refuses to shake the manager’s hand before coming on at the London Stadium.
Liverpool 3 Sheffield United 1 – April 4, 2024
Salah shakes his head as he is subbed off during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over the basement club.
Chelsea 1 Liverpool 1 – August 13, 2023
Salah storms off the pitch after being replaced on 77 minutes on the first day of the season.
Brighton 1 Liverpool 1 – November 28, 2020
Salah throws his arms up in the air and barely looks at Klopp after being subbed off. Brighton go on to equalise with a last minute penalty.
Burnley 0 Liverpool 3 – August 31, 2019
Salah gets in a public spat with Sadio Mane after failing to pass to the winger. Team-mate Roberto Firmino says the row had been brewing for some time.
