Liverpool have made a contract offer to Virgil van Dijk as the club look to tie the captain down to a new deal.
Van Dijk’s current contract expires at the end of the season, with the Dutch defender one of three high-profile players whose deals are nearing their conclusion. Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold will also be free agents in the summer as things stand, though negotiations continue.
Van Dijk will turn 34 in July but has been in fine form for a Liverpool side who have thrived under Arne Slot.
The centre-back led Liverpool to clean sheets against Real Madrid and Manchester City over the past week, with the Reds top of both the Premier League and Champions League standings.
The Athletic are reporting that the proposal from Liverpool ‘fell short of his expectations’ and there has been no breakthrough on the value or length of an extension. Discussions are set to continue between the respective parties.
In October, Van Dijk said his full focus was on success with Liverpool this season and refused to be drawn on his future.
“Obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don’t know, we will see what happens in the future. My full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else.
“What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see.”
Van Dijk has made 288 appearances for Liverpool since his £75m move to the club from Southampton in January 2018. He has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and two League Cups among his honours at Anfield.
