Liverpool send delegation to check on Bundesliga gem amid £74m+ clause news
Virgil Van Dijk’s future still hasn’t been sorted despite the Dutchman entering the final few months of his contract at Liverpool.
The defender is one of the best players among the Reds’ ranks and has been one of the main reasons behind the dominance of Arne Slot’s men this season.
Van Dijk has been linked with several clubs since the 2024/25 season kicked off and as everyone at Liverpool is keeping tight-lipped about the situation, it’s still unclear whether the former Southampton man will be donning the red of Liverpool next season.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia such as Al Nassr have been linked with a big-money move for the towering defender but nothing has yet come to fruition.
So, with this in mind, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the Merseyside outfit are being linked with centre-backs ahead of the summer transfer window.
Castello Lukeba could be on his way to Anfield
As the summer transfer window edges closer, the rumour mill is going to be continuously turning.
And, as per a report from Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri (24 February), it seems that the Reds have had “positive reports” back from their scouts about RB Leipzig centre-back, Castello Lukeba.
| Stats | Average per Bundesliga game |
| Interceptions | 0.8 |
| Tackles | 1.8 |
| Balls recovered | 3.1 |
| Dribbled past | 0.2 |
| Clearances | 3.3 |
The 22-year-old has had to deal with a hamstring issue for some of the 2024/25 campaign but the report adds that Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have “never lost interest” in the Frenchman.
Tavolieri does, however, add that if any of the three Premier League clubs want to make a move for him in the summer, they’ll have to activate his release clause which is worth more than £74million.
Van Dijk needs to extend his contract at Liverpool
As we edge closer to the end of the season, more and more transfer rumours are going to start creeping up on the Reds, especially if the big three aren’t getting tied down to new contracts at Anfield.
As well as Van Dijk, both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah also have their contracts expiring at the end of the season which is far from an ideal situation for Slot.
Each of the trio deserves to be offered new deals by the Merseyside outfit, because, if they don’t manage to tie them down, then they may as well kiss their Premier League and Champions League hopes goodbye next season.
The Reds have been one of the most dominant teams in the top flight this term and without even one of the aforementioned three, it feels like Slot would be left rather light in certain areas.
And, if each of them does end up leaving, it means replacements have to be sourced and with the amount of money that players are selling for at the moment, it would be nigh-on impossible for FSG to recruit enough high-quality players to fill the voids left behind.