A huge contract breakthrough with an irreplaceable star; possible announcement date announced

Liverpool have made a breakthrough in their bid to agree a contract extension for Virgil van Dijk, with a report saying an announcement could be made on a famous date in the Reds’ history.

Van Dijk, 33, has been everything Liverpool could have hoped for and more since his record £75m move from Southampton in 2018. The Dutch colossus became the most expensive defender in the world at the time, along with Harry Maguire (Manchester United – £80 million). ), taking up this mantle 18 months later.

Like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk is in the final year of his contract at Anfield.

Liverpool’s goal is to agree new deals with all three and Enfield Watch stated on 28 November that Van Dijk was “staying” and would be the first to commit.

This claim is now backed up by a separate report from TBR Football who claim that Van Dijk’s contract extension is “a matter of time.”

It comes after Liverpool reportedly made crucial progress in talks with the defenders’ camp. As such, Van Dijk is now ‘set to sign’ a new contract that will extend his impressive spell with the Reds.

Giving his opinion on when a new deal could be announced, writer Graham Bailey suggested the official announcement could come from Liverpool on December 27th.

December 27th is the date when Liverpool originally announced they reached an agreement with Southampton for Van Dijk back in 2017.

According to Bailey, “it wouldn’t be a surprise if (Liverpool) announced a contract extension on the exact same day.”

READ MORE: Key details of each Liverpool first team player’s contract: expiry dates, weekly wages, agents…

What about Alexander-Arnold and Salah?

According to TEAMtalk, the most likely outcome is a two-year contract extension. The deal would keep Van Dijk at Liverpool until the end of the 2026/27 season, at which point he will turn 35.

Our insider Fraser Gillan was also told that between Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah, it was Van Dijk who was always more likely to agree to a new deal first.

Once his deal is officially confirmed, attention will turn to determining the future of Alexander-Arnold and Salah.

Sources have previously told us that Liverpool remain calm regarding the Alexander-Arnold situation despite Real Madrid’s obsession with the right-back.

Alexander-Arnold currently trails Van Dijk and Salah in the wage stakes, although the offer Liverpool are set to make would put him in line with the club’s highest paid players.

Even more encouraging for Liverpool are claims from sources that Alexander-Arnold has made it clear that he wants to one day captain Liverpool.

That opportunity will arise when Van Dijk eventually leaves, although that dream can only be realized if Alexander-Arnold stays.

As for Salah, Liverpool sources are adamant that despite his recent “more outside than inside” comments, negotiations are ongoing and will begin in the next couple of weeks.

It’s also important to note that sometimes comments are made publicly to push a deal over the line or to convince the other side at the negotiating table. In this case, it appears that Salah’s comments were intended to rush Liverpool.

Liverpool Latest News – Gittens, Zubimendi, Jones

In other news, Liverpool have been named as one of four high-powered teams vying to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Jamie Gittens. The other three clubs interested are Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.

Elsewhere, trusted reporter David Ornstein has confirmed that Liverpool remain keenly interested in signing Martin Zubimendi.

“Liverpool felt Zubimendi was ideal for what Slote was looking for in a number six and they did not look for an alternative in August because they felt no one else could offer the same skill set,” Ornstein wrote. “Their admiration for the Spain international remains strong.”

Finally, Liverpool are reportedly ready to reward Curtis Jones with a huge pay rise as part of his contract extension.

Jones, who currently earns just £15,000 a week, has been a revelation for the Slot this season. His existing contract does not expire until 2027, although a new contract that better reflects his growing influence within the team is on the agenda.

Van Dijk is important to Liverpool’s success