Liverpool ready move for 'Virgil van Dijk successor' as replacement identified
Liverpool may have already found a replacement for Virgil van Dijk, as they are ready to make a transfer move soon.
The Netherlands international has been pivotal to the Reds' backline since his transfer from Southampton in 2018 but isn't getting any younger.
Van Dijk's contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, and it looks like the centre-back's successor has been identified.
The 33-year-old could potentially be set to lift his last major trophy at the Merseyside outfit, with Arne Slot's team favourites to win the Premier League.
Van Dijk replacement needed at Liverpool next summer
Liverpool may look to prepare for a future without the old guard of Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah in the coming months.
The two have been pivotal to the Reds' success over the years but are set to become free agents soon.
Salah's contract at Anfield is also in its final months, and with a renewal nowhere in sight, the Egyptian could have featured for the Merseyside outfit for the last time in Europe after losing to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League last-16.
Ibrahima Konate seems to be the only other centre-back capable of playing regular top-flight football for Slot, making reinforcements pivotal in the area.
Slot to get Ajax defender Jorrel Hato at Anfield
With Van Dijk's future uncertain at Liverpool, they have turned their attention to Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.
Slot's team are preparing a move for the 19-year-old Netherlands international ahead of the upcoming transfer window, according to CaughtOffside.
The news outlet reports (20 March) that the Reds are one of the teams that have scouted the Dutchman in recent matches.
| Competition (2024/25) | Appearances | Goals | Competition |
| Eredivisie | 23 | 2 | 6 |
Hato is part of Ronald Koeman's squad as they face Spain in the Nations League twice during the international break.
While the 19-year-old has primarily played at left-back this season, he is also capable of being deployed in the centre of defence.
The Netherlands international spent most of the 2023/24 campaign playing as a centre-back and is well-versed in that position.
It's clearly evident that Liverpool are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, with only Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez providing backup,