Liverpool 'to fight' European giants to sign free agent amid Virgil van Dijk contract uncertainty

Liverpool are preparing themselves to battle with a top European club over a player who could be the perfect replacement for captain Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk is currently enjoying his second season as skipper for the Reds but, with conversations regarding an extension to his contract stalling, it could well be his last as his current deal is due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season.

The Dutch defender is just one of three key players at Liverpool who cold leave as free agents at the end of the season, with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold also approaching the end of their current deals.

However, a new report suggests that Liverpool may be preparing themselves to battle with one of Europe's top clubs over a player that could be the perfect replacement for Van Dijk, should he decide to move on.

According to TeamTalk, the Merseyside club are closely monitoring the situation regarding Beyer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, who will be available as a free agent at the end of the season.

But Liverpool aren't the only top club interested in the German centre-back, as Inter Milan are reportedly eager to convince Tah to sign a pre-contract agreement in the early months of 2025.

The centre-back played a key role in Leverkusen's historic season last year, which saw them claim the Bundesliga and the German cup.

And with both Francesco Acerbi or Stefan de Vrij, Inter's current centre-backs who will be 37 and 33 respectively at the end of the season when both of their contracts expire, looking likely to leave, the Italian giants are eager to secure Tah's signature as soon as possible.

Jonathan Tah made 48 appearances for Beyer Leverkusen last season. (Image: Getty)

The report claims that the Serie A side have told the 29-year-old's management that they are willing to offer him a contract until 2029 with an annual salary of around £96,000 per week.

Therefore, if Liverpool hope to bring the talented defender to Anfield, it is likely that they will need to significantly ramp up their pursuit in the coming months.

But, should they miss out on Tah, Liverpool have reportedly drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements for Van Dijk which includes Sevilla’s Loic Bade and Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio.