Liverpool identify two potential replacements for van Dijk

Liverpool are accelerating their efforts to sign a new centre-back ahead of 2027, preparing for life after their captain Virgil van Dijk, whose current contract expires next June.

CaughtOffside reports that Murillo, Nottingham Forest defender, and Nico Schlotterbeck, Borussia Dortmund player, are at the top of Liverpool's target list, alongside Alessandro Bastoni and Jules Koundé.

Nottingham Forest are asking for between £70 million and £80 million to part with Murillo, while Schlotterbeck's contract includes a release clause valued between £42 million and £50 million, which will be activated next summer.

The report suggests that Nico Schlotterbeck represents the closest technical option to succeed Virgil van Dijk, with a focus on signing a defender to form a long-term partnership with Jérémy Jacquet.

Despite searching for a replacement for their captain, Liverpool are studying the possibility of extending Virgil van Dijk's contract, with negotiations expected to start at the beginning of next year for a new 12-month deal with the option to add another year.