James Pearce shares the three issues surrounding Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk’s new contract now

Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool contract is up at the end of the season.

The Liverpool captain could leave the club on a free transfer in 2025, but, the Reds are working to get a new deal done.

Liverpool are confident of getting a deal done with Van Dijk, but, according to The Athletic, a contract was rejected this week.

Speaking on the Walk On Podcast, James Pearce has been discussing Van Dijk’s situation, and he says that there are still three points of contention in negotiations over a new contract.

The journalist says there’s still some haggling to be done over the basic terms of this deal, the bonus structure and the length of the contract.

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The issues surrounding Virgil van Dijk’s new contract

Pearce shared what he knows about Van Dijk’s new deal.

The journalist says that the Dutchman still has some issues regarding this new deal, while also explaining the rumours that a deal was going to be announced last week.

“Of course, on January 1st, he could potentially sign a pre-contract with a club overseas, but I don’t think he sees that date as some kind of dramatic cutoff,” Pearce said.

“I think to be honest, it’s just the process, isn’t it? In terms of you make an offer, it would be very surprising if you would accept the first offer that comes your way. Then clearly, there’s some negotiating and haggling to be done over the basic terms, the bonus structure, and then also the length of the deal regarding van Dijk.

“But yeah, I’m still confident I am. I know there was some rumours doing the rounds, wasn’t there, last week, that it was already a done deal and it was going to get announced on Friday.

“That was a course people were putting two and two together and getting 17 after Slot decided to do his press conference on Thursday rather than Friday. People thought that had almost cleared the decks for a big Friday announcement when the reality was Slot just had lots of family over from Holland and wanted to spend a few hours with them on Friday morning.”

What about Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Van Dijk’s contract does need ironing out, but, as Pearce says, he’s still confident that a deal can be done.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are both out of contract next summer too, so what is there status?

Liverpool are confident about agreeing deals with all three players.

Salah’s recent contract talks have been positive, while Salah is now open to signing a one-year extension.

By all accounts, Alexander-Arnold’s situation is a tad more complicated.

Alexander-Arnold is being courted by Real Madrid, and when Los Blancos come calling, it’s always very hard to say no.

Liverpool are flying high in the Premier League at the moment, but there are some serious situations bubbling behind-the-scenes that need sorting.