Graeme Souness thinks key duo Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah could run down their current contracts and move out on a free transfer.
Some underlying problems are brewing at Liverpool in the aftermath of Jurgen Klopp’s departure. While the German has given his successor, Arne Slot, a good enough team capable of being very close to Manchester City and Arsenal, many vital issues remain to be resolved.
Liverpool have been uncharacteristically quiet in the transfer window, and the only player they chased with any seriousness turned them down as Martin Zubimendi chose to stay with Real Sociedad. While bringing in a defensive midfielder remains a necessity for the Merseysiders, they are also facing the prospect of losing three of their critical stars on free transfers next summer.
Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are synonymous with Liverpool’s successful era under Klopp. The trio have entered the final year of their respective contracts, and among them, only Alexander-Arnold might stay at the club beyond next summer.
Even with Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid are working to sign him on a free transfer next summer, while the other two might have solid suitors from cash-rich Saudi Arabia clubs. Liverpool legend Graeme Souness thinks there’s a big chance that key duo Van Dijk and Salah might run down their contract and leave on a free transfer, which he commented about on TalkSport’s daily show White & Jordan.
Souness said, “For Van Dijk and Mo Salah – particularly Salah – Saudi Arabia has got to be attractive. Maybe he’s going to play another year, and Van Dijk, at his age, might think that.”
“For Trent, would money be the biggest thing? No, given his age and the fact that he’s a scouser and if it was up to me he’d stay a bit longer.
“But the other two this might be their last year with their contracts running out. The lure of playing in Saudi Arabia will be enormous when you get to the wrong side of 30. If this is the last year of their contracts, I imagine they are running their contracts down to get the biggest payday they can possibly get.”
“That would make sense for Salah and for Van Dijk, maybe the same. These conversations may have happened because it’s not the sort of thing that you want out.”
Souness may have made a bold claim, but there’s a big possibility that it will happen. Starting with Salah, a report suggested Liverpool might entertain offers of £100 million and sell him. However, with the season right around the corner, offloading their primary goalscorer would be a bitter blow to their immediate plans, and there’s no guarantee they can find a suitable replacement within the transfer window.
Van Dijk’s case is different, and they could still offset his departure next season, as Fabrizio Romano insisted the situation around the defender is relatively quiet at the moment. The centre-back recently said that a new contract has not arrived on the table, which does add to the pressure on Liverpool.
As things stand, the two players, as Souness mentioned, could get lucrative deals to join Saudi sides next summer on huge salaries. Their availability on a free transfer will only benefit the key duo in their quest to find the best offers around, and they still have a massive market in the Middle East, even next season.
