Liverpool EYEING German international as potential replacement for Virgil van Dijk

While Virgil van Dijk remains as dominant as ever in defence for Liverpool and the Netherlands, contract negotiations have stalled and the club may need to look to the future

Despite being widely considered the best centre-back in the Premier League, the 33-year-old is not getting any younger, and rumours are circulating about potential short-term and long-term replacements.

Having joined the club in 2018 from Southampton, with his signing announcement proving to be one of the Reds’ greatest-ever Christmas presents to fans, the Dutch international has been faultless across the past six years.

Read more: WINNERS and LOSERS of the international break

However, all good things come to an end, and the club was always going to reach a point where they need to move on and attempt to find someone capable of filling the hole left by his absence. Best of luck with that.

Despite Van Dijk’s reported desire to continue as Liverpool and Netherlands captain into the future, he will leave as a free agent in the summer should negotiations for a contract extension break down, with reports suggesting the club may have found a new target.

Any takers for Jonathan Tah?

While links to Bayer Leverkusen’s invincible defender Jonathan Tah had been circling recently, SportBild expected Bayern Munich would be his likely summer destination.

However, the same German media outlet is now reporting that such a move is off the cards, which could enable Liverpool to swoop in and arrange a pre-contract agreement, with the player into the last year of his contract.

Earlier this week, journalist Christian Falk reported for CaughtOffside that fans should keep an eye on the player, with the Reds offering the attraction of playing in a competition the defender is eager to experience - the Premier League.

However, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly also keen on signing Tah, Liverpool will have some competition if they are to tie down the 28-year-old.

Joel Matip was moved on last season following his contract running down, a decision the club made following the player’s age and his recent ACL injury.

Despite van Dijk recovering incredibly well from his ACL injury in 2021, he is now just as old as Matip was when the German defender was forced out of Anfield.

Amidst silence regarding his contract situation, a Merseyside move for Tah may well be on the cards.

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