The impressive career of Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool appears to be nearing its end. The Netherlands captain’s contract, who is shortly turning 33, expires in 2025, and talks over an extension have not produced any results so far.
Recently, while on international duty, Van Dijk said it wouldn’t make sense to discuss a new contract now, thereby giving rise to the belief that his stay at Anfield is nearing an end.
Reports have however emerged indicating that Liverpool will delay contract talks to the end of 2024, providing a platform for Van Dijk to discuss his position with other clubs starting from January.
By the time his current contract expires, Van Dijk will be 34, and the management of Liverpool has altogether started making plans on the line of succession.
Van Dijk, whom Liverpool bought for a record fee of £75 million, now interests clubs in the Saudi Pro League, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, with his agents in discussion to thrash out terms in a big story.
Long-term Chelsea target Levi Colwill reportedly has revived interest from Liverpool.
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The Merseyside giants are longtime admirers of Colwill since impressing on loan at Brighton in 2022/23. However, the attempts of Liverpool to secure his signature when he went back to Stamford Bridge last summer proved fruitless.
The Liverpool decision-makers are impressed by Colwill’s pace and see him as versatile enough to play a number of defensive roles-as cover for Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold when he moves into midfield from right back in a tactical change, or even as back-up to the injury-prone Andy Robertson.
The Reds have opened talks with Chelsea over a deal for the 21-year-old England man. Colwill has allegedly become frustrated at the amount of times he’s having to play left back rather than the centre-back role that he wants to play.
For all his 32 appearances for Chelsea last season under Mauricio Pochettino, with Colwill even captaining the Blues once throughout the campaign, he did spend a large chunk of the campaign out of his preferred role, playing at left back.
Colwill has a Chelsea contract until 2029, with the club having an option for an additional year, so any deal would likely be complicated.
While Chelsea is keen to build financial flexibility and homegrown players like Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja could be sold, the Chelsea’s owners view academy graduate Colwill as a prized asset.
The commitment to play Colwill as a center-back – as part of any potential exit plans of Van Dijk – could give Liverpool favor in negotiations.
The 19-year-old ended last season with a toe injury but is very much one to watch for both club and country in the future.
Now, Liverpool awaits the response of Chelsea as they find their way through the complicated deal to sign the successor for Van Dijk.
