Virgil van Dijk to be made the world’s best-paid defender
Liverpool will offer Virgil van Dijk new terms, making him the world’s highest-paid defender according to the Daily Mirror.
The imperious Dutchman’s signing has been a gamechanger for the Reds. Since making a club record move in January 2018 from Southampton, he has converted a porous Liverpool backline into the best in the league.
Van Dijk has been a regular in the Reds backline and has made 109 appearances for the club scoring 11 goals and five assists. His impressive goal tally for a defender puts him in 17th place is the list of the club’s goalscoring defenders.
Although a modest number, it speaks of the player’s contribution at the other end of the pitch in spite of having played fewer games than the names above him in the list.
The defensive transformation forged by the 28-year-old has seen Liverpool be crowned European and World Champions. The club also look increasingly likely to win their first league title in 30 years this May. The Reds have conceded just 17 goals this season in the league,12 fewer than their closest challengers with Van Dijk the constant.
Liverpool are keen to reward the defender’s performances with an improved contract. The Dutchman will join Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah who have all penned improved deals.
The report goes on to say that although no talks have taken place yet, the situation may be revisited in the summer.
The deal is expected to make him the best-paid defender in the world. This is backed up by a report by talksport (h/t Daily Mirror), revealing that the Reds will offer Van Dijk a deal worth £50 million. This will take his salary from £120,000 a week to £150,000 a week.
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Liverpool can extend their lead at the top of the table to 25 points when they take on Watford on Saturday. The Reds are unbeaten in 44 games in the league following the loss to Manchester City in January last year.
