Van Dijk preference emerges after £16.8m offer to quit Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk’s future remains unclear with the Liverpool captain out of contract at the end of the season.
Van Dijk has enjoyed yet another outstanding campaign at Anfield, as a crucial cog in Arne Slot’s side who are now 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
The Netherlands international joined Liverpool in January 2018 and has been a colossal presence at the back ever since, and it would be a huge blow for Slot to lose such an important player for free.
With nothing decided yet over his future, there is still hope for Van Dijk to sign fresh terms, but indications are pointing towards an exit, with his potential next destination already in mind.
Van Dijk has Liverpool exit options away from Saudi Arabia
Van Dijk has several options available to him this summer, and there will be no shortage of interest if he chooses to depart Anfield.
Sky Sports Switzerland have reported that Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal have already made a contract offer of £16.8m per year to the defender, but they face a potential obstacle in their bid to sign the veteran.
| Liverpool defender | Appearances in 2024-25 |
| Virgil van Dijk | 41 |
| Ibrahima Konate | 34 |
| Joe Gomez | 17 |
| Jarell Quansah | 22 |
It is claimed that Van Dijk would prefer a move to Major League Soccer in the United States over a move to Saudi Arabia, but the fact that he already has this in mind indicates that his future is unlikely to be at Anfield.
Van Dijk is irreplaceable for Liverpool
Losing Van Dijk would be disastrous for Liverpool this summer. The 33-year-old has arguably been the best centre-back in the Premier League this season, and those even remotely close to his level, such as Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes, will be unattainable.
It would take a huge financial outlay to find a top-class central defender to replace the Dutchman and, no matter who Liverpool end up with, the incoming player is unlikely to reach Van Dijk’s performance levels instantly.
Even beyond his performances on the pitch, Van Dijk is a huge figure in the dressing room as a captain and leader and this influence cannot be measured or replaced easily.
He has made more appearances than any other Liverpool defender this season and no one else can match his near-perfect fitness record in that time.
Liverpool will definitely be worse off without the defender, but they may have to resign themselves to his exit at the end of this season.