LFC TRANSFER UPDATE : Liverpool is asking for €55m for a key player following discussions with Saudi representatives, as PIF readies a fresh approach.

Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo

Saudi suitors are eyeing a key Liverpool player

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is a target for the Saudi Pro League this summer and TEAMtalk can reveal the Reds’ response to a recent approach and how the PIF plans to explore a new transfer tactic to get the Dutchman.

Van Dijk’s entourage, as reported weeks ago, planned to meet the PIF to better understand the proposal ready for the Dutch defender, and so it happened

Catch the Euros from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN for less than £6 a month

At the end of Euro 2024, the parties talked about the negotiation room for a possible transfer this summer. No decision was made on that occasion, but Van Dijk doesn’t turn down the possibility of joining the Saudi Pro League and has given the green light to the Saudi negotiator to start talking with Liverpool.

The English club was approached by the PIF and the first request made – in terms of offer – to evaluate Virgil’s possible farewell was around €55 million (£46.3m).

That figure is currently considered too high by the Saudi negotiator, who has made it known that they want to take a few days to internally evaluate their possible next actions.

However, this request deemed too high could seriously jeopardise the negotiation, with the PIF ready to withdraw from the talks for Van Dijk if the cost doesn’t drop drastically.

An alternative that is gaining ground in the last few hours is that the Saudi negotiator, given that Virgil’s contract expires in 2025 (and talks related to his renewal are stalled) could wait until January, trying to get him to sign a pre-contract so he can move as a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season.