Liverpool supporters are facing a nervous wait over Virgil van Dijk’s future at the club.
Van Dijk has been one of Liverpool’s best players of the past decade. The Dutchman has had a huge impact at Anfield.
Having won near-enough everything there is to win with Liverpool, Van Dijk is an undisputed legend for the Reds.
However, the centre-back now has just one year left on his contract. After claims Van Dijk has met with Al Nassr over a move to Saudi Arabia, uncertainty shrouds his next decision.
As Arne Slot prepares to take office at Liverpool, insiders at Anfield have now weighed in on the situation.
Liverpool insiders clear up Van Dijk situation
It seems that Van Dijk did in fact meet with Al Nassr about a potential transfer to the Middle East.
Having almost seen his contract up with Liverpool, the 32-year-old is seemingly assessing his options for what comes next.
For Reds supporters, they will hope that a new deal is what is coming around the corner for Virgil as he still has a big part to play under Slot.
But with the riches on offer in Saudi Arabia dangling before his eyes, no one can fully claim to know what is in store for Van Dijk.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk from wife to tattoos and net worth
If anyone should be in the know, though, then it’s ‘senior sources’ at Liverpool.
And according to The Athletic, insiders amongst the Reds’ hierarchy insist that they have received ‘no contact’ from Al Nassr – or presumably anyone else – about signing Van Dijk.
Liverpool are said to be keen on signing a new centre-back this summer, with the remit reportedly to add depth rather than a starter.
If Van Dijk were to leave, that mission would surely need to be recalibrated. As of yet though, nothing is on the table.
Who could replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool?
The hope amongst fans will be that Van Dijk is merely putting a little pressure on Liverpool here.
You’d imagine that if Al Nassr were truly serious about signing the Netherlands captain this summer then they’d have made some kind of contact with the Reds.
Instead, while a meeting does look to have taken place, it is at the very most in the earliest preliminary stage.
In our opinion, the expectation should remain that Van Dijk stays at Liverpool at least for the next season. Ideally he would sign a new contract to stay at the club for pretty much the remainder of his career.
But should the relatively unthinkable happen and Virgil exit the club before September, he would need replacing. Losing a player like that would leave an enormous hole in the Liverpool squad.
As for who could replace him, we think Liverpool would be best off looking for a wise, older head to play the Van Dijk role. Someone who could be brought in alongside a new, young player like Leny Yoro. Mats Hummels, anyone?