Virgil van Dijk continues to be Europe’s highest-paid defender after signing a new contract with Liverpool, according to a recent report.
Contract negotiations with Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah stretched into April, just months before their previous deals were set to expire. Liverpool reportedly had concerns about committing significant funds to two aging players. However, both stars secured favorable terms, with Salah, who turns 33 in June, signing a new contract worth an estimated £380,000 per week. Van Dijk, who will turn 34 in July, agreed to a two-year extension of his own.
As reported by The Athletic, Van Dijk’s new contract doesn’t feature any release or break clauses, and his salary remains unchanged. He is now thought to earn close to £400,000 per week, making him the highest-earning defender in Europe.
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Most of Van Dijk’s salary is reportedly guaranteed, with performance-based incentives linked to the team’s success rather than individual milestones.
The report also clarified that negotiations between Van Dijk and Liverpool were never in jeopardy, though they took longer than anticipated. Behind-the-scenes changes, including the appointment of sporting director Richard Hughes and uncertainty over Jurgen Klopp’s managerial future, played a role in the delay. Nevertheless, all parties understood the need for patience during such sensitive discussions.
While Liverpool is pleased to have secured new deals for both Salah and Van Dijk, there are ongoing concerns about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future. Reports suggest he has agreed to a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer, although manager Arne Slot recently stated that no deal has been finalized yet.
