Liverpool look set to miss out on ideal Virgil Van Dijk successor if Richard Hughes doesn't act now - opinion
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Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool future still remains up in the air despite positive updates in recent weeks surrounding the defender’s contract.
The Anfield captain is one of three superstar names at Liverpool who are currently heading towards free agency at the end of this season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk all yet to pen new deals with the Reds.
Of the three, though, Van Dijk appears closest to signing a new contract with Liverpool, with the final details of the deal being ironed out as the 33-year-old defender looks ready to commit the last good years of his career with Arne Slot’s side.
Yet even with Van Dijk closing in on a new contract, Liverpool could benefit massively from signing a new centre-back who could one day replace the Dutchman, and that dream target could now be about to join Aston Villa this January.
Liverpool running out of time to sign Loic Bade ahead of Aston Villa
Loic Bade has wanted by Liverpool for quite some time, with the France international enjoying a fine season with Sevilla as well as earning his first senior call-up for Les Bleus having featured for Thierry Henry’s side at last summer’s Olympics.
With Liverpool eyeing Bade as a successor for Van Dijk, the 24-year-old defender ticks a lot of boxes the Reds are looking for in a potential defensive signing, a position sporting director Richard Hughes is no doubt looking at even with Van Dijk closing in on a new contract with the Reds.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth
Yet according to TeamTalk, the Reds could be about to miss out on Bade entirely, with Villa doing all they can to bring the La Liga defender to Villa Park and to beat the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle United and Serie A side Atalanta to the centre-back’s signature.
Indeed, losing out on Bade would be a hammer blow for Liverpool and their plan to find a real long-term replacement for Van Dijk, and losing out the French defender to a Premier League rival will make it even more difficult for the Reds to process in the years to come.
Hughes can win respect from Liverpool fans by swooping for Bade this month
Hughes’ start to life at Liverpool as sporting director has been quiet, with Anfield’s new transfer chief making just the two signings in the summer in Slot’s first transfer window in charge of the Premier League giants.
Although the Dutchman has excelled without new signings, though, it’s clear that more bodies are needed if Liverpool are to go all the way in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, with Bade a dream signing for the Reds this January.
And Hughes can win a lot of respect from Liverpool supporters if he made a play for Bade in the coming days with Villa now closing in on the Sevilla defender, with the France international the perfect long-term successor to Van Dijk’s throne at Anfield.
