Van Dijk to stay at Liverpool as Bouaddi handed £100m World Cup price tag

Virgil van Dijk looks set to remain at Liverpool this season despite growing speculation over his future, with reports suggesting the club have no intention of sanctioning a sale of their captain. The update comes as Anfield chiefs continue reshaping the squad under new boss Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool have already waved goodbye to several key figures this summer, including Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker had also been linked with a departure but now appears likely to stay following weeks of speculation.

Van Dijk to stay despite exit rumours

Van Dijk, who turns 35 this month, is currently in the second year of the two-year contract extension he signed in April last year. According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool were “prepared to evaluate any serious offer on its merits before making a decision” and no longer consider their skipper “untouchable” in the transfer market.

However, links connecting the Dutchman to AC Milan and Fenerbahce have reportedly been firmly dismissed by sources at Anfield. Liverpool are said to be planning for the campaign ahead with Van Dijk very much part of their squad, having played every single minute of last season’s Premier League campaign.

The centre-back’s continued presence will come as a relief to supporters given the volume of change already taking place at the club this summer, with Iraola having replaced Arne Slot in the dugout and already sealed a deal for Victor Munoz from Osasuna.

Bouaddi handed staggering £100m price tag

Elsewhere, Liverpool and other admirers have been warned they may need to find in the region of £100million to prise Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi away from Lille. The 18-year-old has caught the eye at this summer’s World Cup, playing a key role as Morocco reached the quarter-finals.

Having impressed across three seasons in France, Bouaddi is reportedly attracting interest from Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. With three years still to run on his contract, Lille are under no pressure to sell their prized asset.

Lille president Olivier Letang told Eurosport: “Many clubs are interested in him, but very few can afford him right now. He’s already one of the best midfielders in the world and still has significant room for improvement. He’s only 18 and has his whole future ahead of him. He’s focused on continuing to develop and winning everything.”

Asked whether he had put a specific figure on the youngster, Letang added: “How to answer that question… Have I spoken, brought up the subject, given a figure? No, never. You have to look at his level. How much have players like [Elliot] Anderson [to Man City for £116m] or [Sandro] Tonali [to Spurs for £100m] been sold for, who are much older, but without room for improvement, so you have an idea of the value of Ayyoub, who has a unique profile at only 18 years old.”

Speaking at the World Cup, Bouaddi played down the speculation surrounding him. “For the moment I’m only focused on the World Cup, I cannot answer to this right now,” he said. “I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me but for now I’m here focused on the World Cup with Morocco and we will try to give everything to do our best.”