Liverpool draw up ‘four-man shortlist’ to replace Virgil van Dijk if he rejects contract offer

Liverpool have a four-man shortlist drawn up in case Virgil van Dijk leaves this summer, according to reports.

Van Dijk, 33, is in the final year of his current Liverpool contract, with Mo Salah’s and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s futures also still hanging in the balance.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Netherlands international has already seen an offer come his way – though it fell short of expectations, nor has there been a breakthrough regarding the length or salary of the proposed contract.

But “dialogue” is thought to be “ongoing”

On October 24, the player issued an update on his future.

“Obviously, discussions are ongoing, but I don’t know, we will see what happens in the future,” he said.

“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.”

Although almost everyone involved with Liverpool Football Club will be hoping the defender stays a while yet, it is possible that he could move on next summer – he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January 1, 2025.

In this eventuality, the Reds have reportedly identified four players who could replace the centre-back.

According to Team Talk, Marc Guehi, Gleison Bremer, Goncalo Inacio, and Loic Bade are all being ‘considered’.

Guehi, 24, is the captain of Crystal Palace and played an important role in England’s Euro 2024 campaign.

Last summer, Newcastle United made four bids for the player – believed to be in the region of £65m, according to Sky Sports.

However, he has remained at the Eagles for the 2024/25 season. His Palace contract is set to run until June 2026.

Bremer, 24, a Brazilian international, is currently at Juventus. His contract will expire in June 2029, and he is thought to be worth around £59m, according to Liverpool.com.

As for Bade, 24, he is a mainstay at the heart of Sevilla’s defence and was previously signed by a Premier League club.

Although his loan from Rennes to Nottingham Forest was cut short in January 2023 – he failed to make a first-team appearance for Forest.

His Sevilla contract is set to run until June 2029.

Inacio, 23, who currently plays for Sporting CP, has a £50m release clause in his contract, according to Liverpool.com. He was part of Ruben Amorim’s 2023/24 Primeira Liga winning side and played 32 league games last term.

The reported ‘interest’ in the players mentioned has not been confirmed Liverpool at this time.