Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Exclusives
The three European clubs who wanted to sign Virgil van Dijk before he penned new Liverpool contract
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was wanted by three of Europe’s biggest clubs before he signed his new deal at Anfield, TBR Football can reveal.
Van Dijk has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal at Liverpool, meaning he’ll continue to add to the 314 appearances he’s made for the club.
The 33-year-old followed Mohamed Salah in committing his next two years to Arne Slot’s project, one that has almost won a Premier League title in its first season.
Slot’s compatriot Van Dijk has obviously continued to be instrumental for the Reds since their new manager made the switch from AZ Alkmaar, a towering leader who Liverpool will continue to build around.
And whilst there’s speculation regarding Ibrahima Konate’s future right now, his partner Van Dijk is definitely going nowhere.
Virgil van Dijk had plenty of suitors before committing to Liverpool
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has provided more insight into Van Dijk’s deal as well as naming three sides who were chasing his signature on a potential free transfer.
Firstly revealing Richard Hughes’ role in Liverpool’s recent contract breakthroughs, Bailey said: “As we revealed, talks during the international break accelerated and there was a change in the thinking at the club – Richard Hughes worked hard to convince FSG to change their stance and approach to Van Dijk and Salah.
READ MORE: Liverpool are stepping up their interest in ‘very aggressive’ right-back ahead of the summer
“Once that wiggle room was found, the new deals were no-brainers – am told Van Dijk, like Salah, has not had a wage drop in his deal. He is on similar money to Salah.
“These two deals were paramount for Arne Slot, after his first season he was adamant that neither could leave and the club have backed him, the club though never wanted either to leave.
“In terms of rival interest – there was interest from all the big clubs in Europe…Barcelona, Bayern Munich, even Chelsea – none made offers but they made it clear if he was available this summer, they would be keen – but van Dijk’s camp never held talks, they knew there were chances for him but they always believed he would remain.”
Van Dijk says it was ‘always Liverpool’
Interestingly, in his first words after signing his new contract, Van Dijk said it was ‘always Liverpool’, suggesting that he wouldn’t have been interested in any potential advances of the club’s mentioned.
Van Dijk feels like a one-club player at Anfield even though he’s represented multiple clubs in the past, including Celtic and Southampton.
But speaking about his decision, Van Dijk said: “It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.
“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.”
One of Liverpool’s greatest players who’ll continue wearing red for the next two years.