Arne Slot sends message to Virgil Van Dijk as Liverpool star 'close' to joining European giant following contract rejection

Virgil van Dijk has 'chosen to embark on a new challenge' amid his contract situation at Liverpool, according to stunning reports.

Van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season and will become a free agent as things stand.

He has still yet to put pen to paper on a new Liverpool deal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah in the same situation.

Naturally, the Liverpool trio have been the subject of intense transfer speculation.

Rumours continue to swirl as their existing contracts run down.

And a report in Spanish outlet Fichajes claims Van Dijk has 'made the decision not to renew his contract with Liverpool' and has 'chosen to embark on a new challenge' in the shape of a move to Bayern Munich.

Per the report, he has received a 'very attractive offer' from Bayern, who are among the clubs keeping tabs on his situation.

The German side have presented him with a 'highly lucrative contract' and sources close to the player assure that the 33-year-old is 'very close to giving a definitive yes'.

Van Dijk leaving Anfield would be a huge blow to Liverpool and Arne Slot, who stressed he would love the star defender to still be at the club next season.

"The only thing I know is that I want Virgil to be here next season," he said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup final. "All the rest, these talks about contracts, that is not what I do here."

Virgil van Dijk has reportedly received a highly lucrative contract offer from Bayern Munich. Image: Getty

Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday and speaking after the game, Van Dijk admitted he had 'no idea' what the future holds.

"I have no idea. I still have no idea at the moment," he said. "Genuinely. I have no idea at the moment. It is not on hold. Nothing on hold. There’s just... I keep saying the same thing. Listen, there are ten games to go, and that is my full focus. If there is news, you guys will know it.

"I don’t even know myself. Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes, but that is about it. At the moment, I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face."