- Virgil van Dijk is one of three Liverpool stars who are out of contract at the end of the season
- The Dutchman has been in commanding form for the Premier League leaders this season
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism is gone at Old Trafford
Virgil van Dijk has insisted he remains ‘calm’ over his contractual situation, despite not expecting any new developments as the clock ticks down on his current deal.
The 33-year-old Dutchman is one of three Liverpool stars out of contract this summer and is now free to agree a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside England.
Most of the attention surrounding the trio has focused on Mohamed Salah, who has made a number of public statements on the matter, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was the subject of a £20 million bid from Real Madrid last week.
This has led to the Reds skipper being largely absent from the speculation. However, he has addressed the uncertainty and insisted he remains calm about his future.
“Nothing,” he said when Sky Sports asked him if there was anything new on the contract front.
Pressed whether he expected an update soon, Van Dijk replied: ‘I don’t think so, but I am calm about it, as I said months ago.
Virgil van Dijk has insisted he remains ‘calm’ amid his ongoing contract uncertainty at Anfield
The futures of Mohamed Salah (left) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (right) have attracted the most interest in recent weeks
“We’ll see what happens in the future and at this point I’ve had absolutely no update. What matters at the moment is for me and the team to concentrate on Spurs [on Wednesday night]. It will be another tough match, but a good one [Carabao Cup] semi-final.’
Van Dijk has returned to his best form this season under the guidance of Arne Slot, whose side impressed in the first half of the season.
Last month the veteran defender claimed he still has ‘three or four years’ left at the top level as he dropped a major hint about his contract situation.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, he said: ‘I love the club, the club loves me. I love the fans, the fans love me and it is a very good basis to be successful.
‘As far as I’m concerned, I can at least play at the highest level for another three or four years. We’ll see what the future brings.’
Van Dijk was offered a new contract in December, but there was reportedly no breakthrough in negotiations with the 33-year-old.
In the same interview, Van Dijk suggested he has ambitions to become the first Dutch captain to lead his team to the Premier League title.
‘It’s not about me, but I would love to be the first [Dutch player]Van Dijk added. ‘I think it’s there. That is what we are committed to as a team.’
Some Liverpool supporters made their feelings known ahead of the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United
Reports in Spain claim Van Dijk was rejected by Real Madrid after being offered to the European champions, but sources have dismissed the reports.
Reports in Spain claim Van Dijk has been rejected by Real Madrid after being offered to the European champions, but sources have debunked the reports.
He is the second of Liverpool’s three soon-to-be out-of-contract players who have faced a move to the Spanish capital in recent weeks.
Madrid’s interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold is long-standing and their determination to sign the Scouser from his boyhood club was confirmed last week when a £20m bid was submitted for a move in January.
The Reds have little interest in letting the 26-year-old leave this month as they attempt to win the Premier League for just the second time.