Liverpool respond to claims Virgil van Dijk ‘held talks’ with Saudi club Al-Nassr – Liverpool FC

Despite claims that Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League have spoken to Virgil van Dijk’s representatives about the move, Liverpool insist they have not been contacted.

Van Dijk will enter the final year of his contract at Liverpool this summer and as such his future on Merseyside is in doubt.

For his part, the Dutchman has pledged his continued commitment to the Reds, suggesting he would be willing to extend his tenure at Anfield.

Negotiations over any new deal have been put on hold, with player and club focusing on other matters at this stage, but talks are likely to take place in the near future.

However, reports in Saudi Arabia this week claimed that Van Dijk’s camp had met with Al-Nassr after inquiring about his availability.

Spanish publication BRAND went on to claim that Al-Nassr’s managing director had offered “a contract that will make the Dutchman the highest-paid defender in the world”.

However, according to Liverpool Echoclub sources insist they have not been approached with any offer for Van Dijk.

Ian Doyle writes: “Liverpool have not received any expression of interest from Al-Nassr for Van Dijk and plan to keep the Dutch international at the club next season.”

The journalist adds that the club “want to speed up talks” with Van Dijk along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, whose contracts also expire in 2025.

Of course, while Liverpool have dismissed suggestions of contact with Al-Nassr, that doesn’t mean Van Dijk’s representatives haven’t been in touch.

Although the traditional transfer process involves an agreement between clubs before players are allowed to discuss a move, this never actually works.

Given his contractual situation, it would be understandable that, as This is AnfieldDavid Lynch speculated on YouTube that Van Dijk’s representatives would ‘express’ interest from elsewhere.

This would be a perfectly normal exercise for a player who has 12 months left on his contract, regardless of his position at Liverpool and indications that all parties would be open to extending his stay.

I’m talking to The Telegraph while on duty with the Netherlands ahead of Euro 2024, Van Dijk expressed his commitment to the Reds and his desire to play under Arne Slott.

“I didn’t know Arne Slott at all. This was the first conversation”, he said after the conversation with the new coach.

“I didn’t have the feeling that this was a farewell conversation and I think he sees me in Liverpool 2.0 as well.

“I have a feeling that he is happy that I am still here and that I will be there next season to help him where needed. This allows us to achieve success on the field.”