Virgil van Dijk has been rocked by contract extension issues and, at 33 years of age, the time is approaching when he should be looking at a generational change. While he is likely to sign a new contract, Liverpool have a list of potential long-term replacements.
According to TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey, the Merseyside club have 18-year-old defender Jorrel Hato, who plays for Ajax, as their top target and, like Van Dijk, they are keen to bring in the Dutch defender.
He can play at left-back as well as centre-back and is the only left-footed centre-back not currently available at Liverpool, having made his debut for the Dutch national team in November 2023 and has featured in over 80 first-team games despite being only 18 years old.
Similarly, Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested, with reports circulating that a number of strong clubs are eyeing him in the transfer market this summer. Should he decide to step up, a fierce battle is expected.
Will the young defender, who is under contract until June 2028, land at Anfield as a replacement for the 33-year-old centre-back, a senior Dutchman and national team captain…?