There is a chance that Liverpool could lose a high profile player to Saudi Arabia this summer.
The Reds have so far done some good business with the Saudi Pro League, offloading Jordan Henderson and Fabinho for a combined £52m in 2023.
Despite that welcome boost to funds though, the PIF controlled teams have been a bit of thorn in the side of Liverpool otherwise.
Although they have been able to stave them off up to this point, interest in Mohamed Salah, for example, has been relentless. This summer, Alisson Becker is reportedly a big target, while Vigil van Dijk has been mentioned as being on their radar, too.
As they prepare to get the Arne Slot era underway, Liverpool will not want to lose any of that key trio. But according to reports from Spain, they might be out of luck.
Virgil van Dijk agents hold Al Nassr meeting
As we saw last year, nothing can be taken for granted as far as the Saudi clubs are concerned. Few had expected Henderson or Fabinho, let alone them both, to go last year.
A departure for any of Salah, Alisson or Van Dijk would be less of a surprise simply because of the current state of flux around Anfield.
Nevertheless, it’s exactly because of that transitional period that Liverpool should be doing all they can to keep the trio around.
Sometimes that’s easier said than done, though. We’ve seen signs that Al Nassr are about to make a move for Alisson and from there we’re relying on the Brazilian’s ability to say no.
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk explains why a new contract at Liverpool ‘doesn’t make sense’ to him just now
And according to Marca, the team of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane are now trying their utmost to sign Van Dijk as well.
The Spanish outlet claims that the agents of the Liverpool captain met with Al Nassr on Tuesday evening in order to explore a move.
During the meeting the Saudi club reportedly put down a contract offer that would make Van Dijk the highest paid defender in the world.
Al Nassr are said to see Liverpool’s No.4 as the ideal partner for former Man City centre-back Aymeric Laporte and are willing to break the bank to get him.
Virgil van Dijk putting pressure on Liverpool
If Van Dijk really has been offered a massive contract by Al Nassr, then Liverpool need to get a move on in their own talks with the Dutchman.
With just one year left on his current deal, the Reds are now entering dangerous territory with Van Dijk.
Van Dijk was arguably Liverpool’s best player last season and is still at the top of his game. To lose him would be an enormous blow.
Obviously, Al Nassr would have to stump up a pretty generous fee. Although his contract is running down, Van Dijk is still hugely valuable. He was a £75m defender six-and-a-half years ago and his level hasn’t wavered too much since then.
The priority for Liverpool now has to be tying Virgil up to another deal, though. He’s far too good to call it a day at Anfield just yet.
This news should hopefully put the right amount of pressure on the Reds to sort this situation out.