Virgil van Dijk’s Future at Liverpool Hinges on Two Key Contract Demands
Club Captain Seeks Two-Year Deal and Wage Continuation as Contract Negotiations Progress
Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, has reportedly listed two conditions that must be met before he agrees to a contract extension with the Merseyside giants. The Dutch defender is eager to extend his career at Anfield as his current contract expires, but whether Liverpool would grant his requests might determine his future.
Van Dijk can begin negotiating with other teams as early as January because his current contract is set to expire at the end of this season. The 33-year-old has, however, stated that staying at Liverpool is his priority, affirming that “discussions are ongoing” and reaffirming his dedication to the team. However, there are two important requirements before he will agree to sign a new contract.
For him to stay at Anfield until the summer of 2027, Van Dijk’s first requirement is a two-year contract extension. The extension would keep him at Liverpool well into his mid-30s, as his current contract expires in 2024. His wish to play at the highest level for as long as possible can be seen in this request, which also shows that he is confident in his ability to continue performing well as his career draws to an end.
The second requirement is related to his pay. According to reports, Van Dijk wants to keep his existing wage of £220,000 a week, which is among the highest at the club. The Dutch international, who has played a key role in Liverpool’s recent success, feels that his ongoing impact on the squad deserves maintaining his big salary.
🚨{UPDATE}🚨
Virgil van Dijk is seeking a two-year contract extension at Liverpool (taking him to 2027) on the same £220,000-per-week wage that he's currently earning [@TEAMtalk]
Great to hear that he's keen to remain at Anfield – hopefully that new deal will come soon! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/hKiKt8cDJJ
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) October 22, 2024
According to reports, Liverpool is “very much in favor” of extending Van Dijk’s contract because they want to keep him. But the club might be trying to reach a compromise. Liverpool is reportedly thinking of granting a one-year extension with a one-year option to extend for a further year instead of the required two-year extension. This would provide the club options based on Van Dijk’s performance and fitness as he ages, extending his stay until at least 2026.
There is increasing hope for the negotiations in spite of these differences in contract length. Sources claim that both parties are approaching the negotiations with “calmness and confidence,” indicating that a win-win solution is probably about to happen.
Although offering a player in his mid-30s a long-term agreement may cause some concern, Van Dijk’s situation is unique. Since joining from Southampton in 2018, the defender has been key in changing Liverpool’s defense and contributing to their Premier League and Champions League success. Van Dijk has proven that he can still play at a top form as he gets closer to his mid-30s, leading and controlling the backline.
For Liverpool, replacing a player of Van Dijk’s quality would be a difficult and expensive task. In addition to finding a top form defender like Van Dijk, the team would also need to integrate them into the team, which might take some time. By extending Van Dijk’s contract, Liverpool can maintain their defense led by one of the world’s top center backs while buying themselves some time to find a long-term replacement.
Even though there are still some issues to be resolved, such as the duration of the contract and the wage structure, there are indications that an agreement may be approaching. Given that Van Dijk is totally dedicated to the team and Liverpool wants to retain him past this season, it appears likely that the two sides will soon come to an agreement.
