Liverpool are believed to have sent scouts to watch a £74m-rated “leader” in action in recent days, according to an exciting new transfer claim.
Van Dijk closing in on new Liverpool deal
Mohamed Salah’s contract extension at Anfield is the biggest news to emerge this week, with the Egyptian legend signing a new deal that will keep him with the Reds until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Now, Liverpool supporters will be dreaming of Virgil van Djik doing the same as his teammate, and recent reports suggest he is also closing in on committing his future to the club he has been at since midway through the 2017/18 campaign.
The Athletic’s James Pearce is among those to claim that it is now effectively a matter of time until the Dutchman pens a new contract, with a two-year deal also expected to be coming his way.
At 33, Van Dijk is not getting any younger, but he has enjoyed a wonderful season at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, and given his style of play, there is no reason why his level should drop much over the next couple of seasons.
However, eventual successors will need to be found, and one such figure has been linked with a move to Anfield.
Liverpool send scouts to watch £74m "leader"
According to an update from The Boot Room, Liverpool were among the clubs who sent scouts to watch RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba last week.
His two teammates, Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko, were also thought to be watched by the Reds, with Arsenal and Chelsea
also reportedly having scouts present to eye up the trio.
Lukeba is a centre-back who could have a massive future in the game, so the idea of him coming in as Van Dijk’s partner – or eventual long-term replacement – at Liverpool is mouthwatering.
At just 22 years of age, the Frenchman is already an undisputed key man for Leipzig, making 19 appearances in the Bundesliga this season and averaging three clearances per game, and four in the Champions League.
Stat
Lukeba
Konate
Appearances
19
25
Starts
14
24
Minutes played
1217
2055
Clearances per game
3.0
3.9
Tackles per game
1.4
1.4
Aerial duel wins per game
1.1
2.6
Goals
0
1
Assists
0
2
Lukeba has been described as a “leader” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, while he has been valued at as much as £74m in some reports this year, highlighting what a top prospect he is.
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While Van Dijk should remain Liverpool’s main man in defence for the foreseeable future, provided he signs a new deal, the Leipzig ace could be a perfect option to come in and partner Ibrahima Konate for years to come.
