Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has provided an update on his contract situation at Anfield, confirming that talks are ongoing with the hierarchy.
The 33-year-old is one of three key Reds players - alongside Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold - who could walk away for nothing when their current agreements expire in 2025.
A recent report claimed that Van Dijk's contract is currently the top priority for Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes, even though the Reds skipper is the oldest out of the three.
Speaking after Sunday's 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea, Van Dijk confirmed that his camp and the club were in talks about his contract, but he is still not sure what the future holds for him.
"I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don't know, we will see what happens in the future," The Athletic quotes the Netherlands international as saying.
Van Dijk: 'I have no idea what the future will bring'
© Imago
"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 and we will see.
"I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun. Discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it's time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys (the media) will know it as well.
"But now my full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. My own form is fine. I will let others do the talking. I don't want to talk about myself. It is not me who is not conceding, it is all of us who are not conceding."
Van Dijk has developed into one of the world's most feared centre-backs during his six-and-a-half-years at Liverpool, who signed him from Southampton for a £75m fee in January 2018.
The 33-year-old has scored 24 goals and provided 12 assists in 280 appearances for the Merseyside giants, becoming a Premier League and Champions League winner in addition to clinching FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield titles.
What about Salah and Alexander-Arnold's situations?
© Imago
Should Van Dijk and Liverpool not agree on a new deal before the January transfer window rolls around, the Dutchman will be able to enter talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement, an the same goes for Salah and Alexander-Arnold.
The latter is understood to be a long-term target for Real Madrid, who are planning for the future without the long-serving Dani Carvajal, and a recent report claimed that Liverpool were resigned to losing Alexander-Arnold next year.
However, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that his side will not be making a January approach for the England international, who broke his silence on his own situation a few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Salah is believed to want to stay at Liverpool for a little while longer, but the Egyptian attacker has laid out one key demand to the board should he agree to put pen to paper.
The 32-year-old was the subject of a £150m bid from Al-Ittihad in 2023 and remains on the radar of the Saudi Pro League, but he still has a few things that he wants to achieve in Europe first.
Ben Knapton
