'Dent': What could happen to Liverpool's transfer plans if Van Dijk and Salah sign new contracts - journalist
03/19/2025 07:00 AM
The contract situations of major stars at Liverpool is well-known.
The Reds find themselves in a very unusual position where three of their major stars Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contact at the end of the season.
Liverpool are hopeful that Van Dijk and Salah will pen new deals at Anfield, while many Reds supporters fear Alexander-Arnold could join Real Madrid as the Spanish giants continue to pursue the English full-back.
Robbie Fowler believes all three will leave Liverpool this summer and if that happens, the Premier League leaders will have a lot of work to do to replace the trio.
On the other hand, should Van Dijk and Salah pen new deals on Merseyside, that will also have a big impact on the Reds’ summer plans.
The impact of new contracts for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool
Liverpool have wildly exceeded expectations under Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield. The Reds have lost just once in 29 league games and are on course to break the 90-point barrier.
The out-of-contract trio have played a major role in this as they have been exceptional in a red shirt this season, with Salah’s displays putting him in the running for the Ballon d’Or.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 1 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 29 | 21 | 7 | 1 | 69 | 27 | 42 | 70 |
| 2 | ArsenalArsenal | 29 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 53 | 24 | 29 | 58 |
| 3 | Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 29 | 16 | 6 | 7 | 49 | 35 | 14 | 54 |
| 4 | ChelseaChelsea | 29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 53 | 37 | 16 | 49 |
Liverpool will not want to lose them and according to The Athletic’s James Pearce, should Van Dijk and Salah sign new deals at the Merseyside club, that will have a major impact on their summer spending.
The Reds reporter has stated that the new contracts would mean less business for Liverpool to have to do ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but it would put a big dent in the funds available for transfers.
Pearce says there needs to be a dose of reality amongst Liverpool fans as the Merseyside club recently posted a £57m pre-tax loss for last season and had the second-biggest wage bill in the Premier League at £386m per year.
That isn’t good news for the Reds as the Slot needs to address several positions in his squad ahead of next season.
- READ MORE: Federico Chiesa is doing something at Liverpool this season that only Mohamed Salah has surpassed
Liverpool could see Alexander Isak dreams fade away
Liverpool have been linked to Newcastle’s Alexander Isak in recent weeks and the striker is the dream target for fans of the Premier League leaders this summer.
Newcastle want around £150m to part ways with Isak this summer as the Swedish star is a key part of the Tyneside club and they will not want to lose the 25-year-old ahead of a possible return to the Champions League next season.
New deals for Van Dijk and Salah would kill any hope of Liverpool competing for Isak’s signature as they would simply not be able to afford the transfer fee and the player’s wages, while also looking to address other areas.
Slot is also in need of a new centre-back, a left-back and a number six. There is a lot of work to do at Anfield this summer and getting new deals agreed on will be the first port of call.
