Despite some positive updates on Virgil van Dijk’s contract, Liverpool are now reportedly willing to trigger the £51m release clause of one particular defensive target this summer.
Latest update on Van Dijk’s new Liverpool contract
Whilst the Reds were far from at their best against Fulham – losing 3-2 in a game they found themselves 3-1 behind in at the break – they have since been handed some reason to celebrate thanks to Van Dijk. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, it’s now a matter of when and not if the Dutchman puts pen to paper on a new deal, much to the relief of those around Anfield.
It’s the type of positive news that Arne Slot will hope to see become the beginning of the end to a frustrating contract saga before his side get back to winning ways and secure the Premier League title.
The Liverpool boss spoke about his side’s defeat at Craven Cottage, telling reporters: “This can happen against a good team like Fulham. If you make mistakes they have the quality to punish them.
“It wasn’t 45 minutes of disaster but the errors we made, I think is something we’re not used to. One of the reasons why we are in the position we are in is we don’t make a lot of mistakes. And if we do, players try to make up for them.”
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What’s more, it seems as though Ornstein’s Van Dijk update hasn’t changed the Reds’ summer transfer plan, given that they’ve now reportedly set their sights on one particular defender.
Liverpool willing to trigger Loic Bade’s release clause
According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now willing to trigger Loic Bade’s release clause worth €60m (£51m) at Sevilla this summer. The Frenchman attracted plenty of attention from Aston Villa in the January transfer window only for the Villans to opt out of a winter deal. A matter of months later, it’s those at Anfield who could yet take advantage of that hefty release clause.
A player with “crazy” ball manipulation and close control for a defender with his stature, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, Bade could eventually replace Van Dijk even if the Liverpool captain does sign a new deal.
At just 24 years old, the Frenchman is entering the peak of his powers – making his £51m release clause all the more tempting for those at Anfield in the coming months.
