Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has strongly hinted at when he is likely to sign a contract extension at Anfield.
Speculation over the 33-year-old's future on the red side of Merseyside has been rife for some time, with the centre-back's current deal due to expire at the end of June.
However, it is understood that Liverpool have now made a breakthrough in negotiations with Van Dijk, who is set to follow in the footsteps of Mohamed Salah in extending his stay at the club.
Van Dijk scored the winning goal in Liverpool's 2-1 success over West Ham United last weekend to move Arne Slot's side one step closer to Premier League glory, while Salah set up Luis Diaz for the Reds' opening goal.
After the match, Salah seemed to let slip that Van Dijk is edging closer to signing a contract extension, telling Sky Sports: "I am glad that we managed to do that early, before the end of the season.
"And hopefully also Virgil will be next. I just say hopefully! I'm just saying. Look, he can do whatever he wants but I would love to see him here again next season. But of course, he can do whatever he wants."
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Van Dijk on verge of extending Liverpool contract
Van Dijk has not hidden the fact that he wants to stay at Liverpool and has suggested that news about his new contract will be announced following the club's Hillsborough commemorations this week.
"I think first, all the focus should be going to the Hillsborough anniversary," the Dutch defender told reporters. "I think that's the main thing and then we'll see. The focus will still be on Leicester (April 20), but maybe there's some news. I know...but I don't know."
Explaining why he is keen to continue his career at Liverpool and is not tempted by a move elsewhere, Van Dijk added: "I love the club, that's pretty obvious. I think you can see that in the way I speak about the club, the way I work for the club in terms of what I do on the pitch on and off the pitch, and that will always be the same.
"I think it's the whole combination. I joined the club in 2017 for many reasons. Reasons like how much it means to all the Scousers, to all the fans around the whole world to be connected to Liverpool.
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"Being successful with Liverpool, the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool... that is just part of me. That's why I'm always proud when I wear that shirt, go out there and try to be the best version of myself in terms of the football player that I am."
Van Dijk lauds "incredible" Salah extension
Reacting to the news of Salah's contract extension, Van Dijk said: "I'm obviously very happy for the club and all of us connected to the club. You can't put it in words how consistent he is.
"Obviously (in terms of) his numbers, but the work rate he's put in over those last eight years at the club is incredible and he can still show it for another few years."
According to The Mirror, Van Dijk is expected to join Salah is signing a new two-year contract at Liverpool, keeping him at Anfield until the end of the 2026-27 season.
Elsewhere, Trent Alexander-Arnold is seemingly close to joining Real Madrid, while Liverpool are allegedly working on renewing Ibrahima Konate's contract which expires in June 2026.
Oliver Thomas
