MX23RW : Wednesday, October 16 03:24:41| >> :120:14758:14758:

Liverpool transfer news: Arne Slot 'identifies' £59m Virgil van Dijk replacement

Liverpool could seal Chiesa reunion as Van Dijk replacement 'identified'
© Imago
Liverpool reportedly earmark Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer as an ideal replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who is one of three players 'likely' to leave next summer.

Liverpool have reportedly earmarked their ideal replacement for captain Virgil van Dijk, whom they are growing concerned about losing in 2025.

It is well-documented that the Dutchman is in the final year of his contract with the Reds, meaning that he can sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January if no new deal is agreed by then.

At 33 years of age, Van Dijk is not expected to be handed a long-term renewal by Anfield chiefs, although the club are thought to be preparing to sit down with his camp and discuss an extension.

Whether an agreement can be reached is another question entirely, as while Van Dijk recently insisted that he was relaxed about his future, he could be offered a once-in-a-lifetime wage by clubs in Saudi Arabia.

According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool are worried that the Netherlands international could reject a renewal and jump ship for Saudi Arabia next summer, and they have identified a highly-rated Serie A defender as an ideal successor.

Liverpool 'want Juventus' Gleison Bremer' as Van Dijk successor

Juventus defender Gleison Bremer pictured on September 1, 2024© Imago

That man is Juventus and Brazil centre-back Gleison Bremer, who has established a reputation as one of the best defenders in the Italian top flight since joining the Old Lady from Torino for £39.6m in 2022.

The 27-year-old has scored eight goals and set up one more in 86 matches for the Bianconeri across all competitions, and he has helped Thiago Motta's side keep clean sheets in their first three games of the 2024-25 Serie A season.

Bremer - who was also a member of Brazil's 2024 Copa America squad - was thought to have been a prime target for Manchester United in the summer, but he snubbed the Red Devils to sign a new long-term contract with Juventus.

The 6ft 2in centre-back's terms in Turin do not expire until 2029, although there is believed to be a €70m (£59.1m) release clause in his contract, which will activate in the summer of 2025.

It is unclear whether Man United will reignite their interest next year, having captured Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt after conceding defeat in the race for Bremer, whose former Juve teammate Federico Chiesa signed for Liverpool in a bargain £10m deal this summer.

Could Liverpool duo follow Van Dijk to Saudi Arabia?

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah pictured in September 2024© Imago

Van Dijk is one of three cherished Liverpool players out of contract next year - the others being Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold - while Alisson Becker's long-term future is also the subject of much debate.

The report adds that all of Van Dijk, Salah and Alisson are 'looking likely' to leave Anfield for Saudi Arabia in 2025, where the latter's long-term successor Giorgi Mamardashvili will arrive from Valencia.

Despite admitting that he was planning for the 2024-25 season as if it was his last at Liverpool after last weekend's 3-0 win over Manchester United, Salah is apparently keen to stay on for a little while longer, but contract talks with his entourage are yet to begin.

However, Liverpool are optimistic of reaching an agreement to extend the contract of academy graduate Alexander-Arnold, in spite of persistent links with Real Madrid.

ID:552411:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6238:

Click here for more stories about Virgil van Dijk

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal on August 25, 2024
Read Next:
Contract talks: Liverpool 'set deadline' to settle Salah future
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool76011321118
2Manchester CityMan City7520178917
3Arsenal7520156917
4Chelsea7421168814
5Aston Villa7421129314
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton73311310312
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle733187112
8Fulham7322108211
9Tottenham HotspurSpurs7313148610
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest724176110
11Brentford73131313010
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham72231011-18
13Bournemouth7223810-28
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd722358-38
15Leicester CityLeicester7133912-36
16Everton7124715-85
17Ipswich TownIpswich7043614-84
18Crystal Palace7034510-53
19Southampton7016415-111
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves7016921-121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!