According to Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that both contracts are effectively worth over £100 million each when factoring in the costs of finding replacements in the transfer market.
Even though Salah and Van Dijk are 32 and 33 years old, they remain crucial to manager Arne Slot’s plans. Van Dijk is expected to sign a two-year deal similar to Salah’s, whose new contract was announced on April 11. Van Dijk’s extension is anticipated after months of rumors.
Liverpool has been confident about securing the futures of both stars throughout the season. Reports from December indicated that both players were set to renew their contracts. However, the potential departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid complicates the club’s initial plan of securing all three players.
With uncertainty around Alexander-Arnold’s future, Liverpool has been motivated to look for replacements. On February 28, Football Insider revealed that Liverpool is actively scouting new centre-backs and has shortlisted several candidates. Slot believes strengthening the defense is necessary regardless of the captain’s situation.
The club is also interested in West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen as a potential replacement for Salah or an alternative to Alexander Isak.
Renewing Salah and Van Dijk’s contracts is a big boost for Liverpool’s Premier League title ambitions as the season nears its end. Meanwhile, Slot is preparing for a major overhaul of the first-team squad at Anfield.
Despite the encouraging contract renewals, Liverpool is planning a possible squad rebuild. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that up to ten key players could leave within two to three years, signaling a significant restructuring ahead.
Players like Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Kostas Tsimikas may depart, with ongoing discussions about the futures of Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Diogo Jota as well.
