Virgil van Dijk has hinted he could leave Liverpool when his contract expires (Image: Getty)
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes could get the upper hand over rivals Manchester City if his proposed transfer goes ahead. The Reds are reportedly keeping tabs on Marc Guehi ahead of next summer, with Virgil van Dijk suggesting he could end his successful chapter at Anfield.
Van Dijk has made more than 250 appearances for the Reds since his big-money move from Southampton in 2018. But this campaign will be his final farewell unless he and Liverpool agree a contract extension.
“What's going on? We'll see, but I'm very calm about my situation,” said the Dutchman, who as things stand will become a free agent next summer.
“I have no reason to think about anything else because I have the whole season ahead of me. Whatever happens now, Anfield has a special place in my heart. And it's an achievement.”
Van Dijk's replacement will need to be talented and able to perform under significant pressure. According to The Independent, Liverpool have targeted Guehi as a centre-back and could make a move for him next year.
The 24-year-old has been England's surprise package at Euro 2024, with his stellar performances en route to the final seeing his stock soar. Newcastle United pushed hard to land him in the summer, but even a £70m fee was not enough to convince Crystal Palace.
Liverpool and Manchester City are both interested in signing Marc Guehi (Image: Getty)
The race to sign Guehi is set to intensify in 2025, when he will have just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park. And Liverpool will not be the only team in the running.
Newcastle could yet return to top defensive target Eddie Howe, while the Daily Mail reports that Liverpool's fierce Premier League rivals Man City have also checked on Guehi's availability.
A Liverpool win over City would be a huge boost for manager Arne Slot, as it would not only strengthen his own backline by replacing Van Dijk with a player capable of taking over, but it would also weaken one of their main title rivals.
Many expected City and Arsenal to battle it out for the Premier League title this season. But Slot proved his Liverpool side were not to be trifled with, winning each of their first three games by a comfortable margin, including an emphatic 3-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1945309/liverpool-virgil-van-dijk-marc-guehi-man-city