Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk reportedly has three huge contract offers on the table and has already decided who he wants to play for next season.
Van Dijk, along with teammates Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, is out of contract in the summer and is yet to pen paper on fresh terms.
Although he is focusing on the current campaign, where Liverpool lead the way in the Premier League after 23 games, Van Dijk is still able to negotiate a pre-contract with a club outside of Europe.
Still the best central defender in world football by some distance, Van Dijk could well move on a free transfer in the summer and it's claimed he has already received proposals from three major European sides.
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According to reports in Spain, via Football365, the Netherlands international has offers on the table from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus - who all feel as though he can still perform at the highest level even though he will be 34 in July.
The three giants are said to be "attracted not only by his quality, but also by the opportunity to sign him at zero cost".
Real are believed to be leading the race for Van Dijk, with Bayern and Juve "not far behind" in an "intense fight for his signature".
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However, Spanish reports state that Van Dijk favours a move to Barcelona, claiming he has been "seduced" over potential playing under Hansi Flick under the Blaugrana.
Arne Slot comments on contract situation
Recent reports claimed that Liverpool's star-studded trio had already agreed to put pen to paper, easing the fears of Reds supporters. However, manager Arne Slot confirmed that neither have signed on the dotted line just yet and the club must be "prepared for the next window" in the event they do leave.
"We have some contractual situations that you don’t probably don’t know about," Slot said in a press conference.
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“But Trent, Mo and Virgil haven’t extended yet. So we are aware of the fact that we have to be sharp and ready for things that can happen.
“My life is mainly short term but we have so many quality people at this club that look at the longer term as well. You always have to be prepared for all the new things coming up.
“The players that don’t play a big part at the moment; will they be able to do this another year? Will they fight for their place or will they [want to] go somewhere else? So we have to be prepared for the next window and what we can do.”
After a shock FA Cup fourth round defeat to Plymouth Argyle at the weekend, Liverpool will look to bounce back against Everton in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
Topics: Virgil Van Dijk, Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers
Josh Lawless