Liverpool prioritise huge Van Dijk extension as new contract details emerge

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Liverpool will make re-signing superstar centre-half Virgil van Dijk their top priority by offering the Netherlands international a new deal worth upwards of £50m in total, according to a report.

The 28-year-old has developed into perhaps the world’s finest central defender at Liverpool, notably finishing runner-up to all-time great Lionel Messi in the 2019 Ballon d’Or award.

With trophies being plundered on the regular at Anfield, and with a maiden Premier League title seemingly now a formality, many expect Van Dijk to pen fresh terms to extend his stay with the club.

A shock switch to Turin to play for Italian champions Juventus did the rounds in the media last week, but according to online publication Football Insider, Anfield chiefs will prioritise extending the Dutchman’s stay with a huge monetary increase likely.

The report reveals that the Reds are keen to tie down the defensive colossus who currently earns £125,000 per week along with several performance-incentivised bonuses.

Cited sources reveal Liverpool are set to offer a ‘new five-year contract worth upwards of £150,000-a-week in addition to bonuses that could potentially take it beyond £50m across its entirety.’

While that may not seem like a large increase compared with many other lesser-heralded centre-halves, the article reveals further details that would bolster Van Dijk’s bank account in the future.

The article notes the Dutchman will receive a ‘£6m bonus on signing, a further £5m loyalty bonus and then a £4m bonus when he has played 150 Liverpool matches.’

Owners Fenway Sports Group are described as regarding the matter as a ‘priority’ given the 28-year-old’s importance and impact on the club’s on-field fortunes.

Meanwhile, Liverpool chief executive, Peter Moore, has explained why the two sides to manager Jurgen Klopp makes him so unique.

Moore, who was speaking at a Q&A at Cape Town Official Liverpool Supporters Club, was asked about the cultural change brought about following Klopp’s appointment four and a half years ago.

“I think what you see what Jurgen Klopp on the television – a lot of managers, what they are like in front of the cameras or when they’re being interviewed, they’re different than in real life. Well, that’s not the case with Jurgen Klopp,” Moore told Soccer Laduma.

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