Liverpool is eyeing a Brazilian defender as Van Dijk’s departure speeds up, while Slot’s appeals go unnoticed…

Liverpool aims for Brazilian defender with Van Dijk’s exit picking up pace and Slot’s appeals being disregarded.

Liverpool is eyeing a Brazilian defender as they face the possibility of Virgil van Dijk leaving the club soon.

Liverpool is facing the possibility of losing their captain, Virgil van Dijk, this summer as reports suggest a lucrative transfer is on the horizon.

Meanwhile, sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly preparing to sign a Brazilian defender as a replacement. An era is coming to an end at Anfield, with Arne Slot taking over from Jurgen Klopp after nearly a decade in charge.

The club will be looking for a smooth transition under the new manager, although some challenges and a period of adjustment may be expected.

The management is not the only thing changing; Michael Edwards has returned as the newly-appointed CEO of football after a two-year absence, while Hughes takes over the role of transfers.

Additionally, there have been significant changes to the backroom staff, with former Feyenoord coach Slot bringing in an entirely new team.

However, Liverpool hopes that the playing squad will largely remain unchanged.

While changes are inevitable, the departures of Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, and Adrian signal a natural shift in personnel.

Slot is keen on continuing to work with the core group of players who have brought Liverpool success over the years.

In early discussions with Edwards and Hughes, the new manager emphasized the importance of retaining the majority of these players this summer.

Van Dijk edging closer to Liverpool departure.

Three key players – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah, and Van Dijk – have contracts expiring in approximately 11 months.

Despite Slot’s desire to retain them, negotiations for contract extensions have not commenced, according to TEAMtalk.

Consequently, as the summer transfer window is active, rumors are circulating about the future of these players, with Salah linked to a move to Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid monitoring Alexander-Arnold’s situation closely.

Nonetheless, as per TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Rudy Galetti’s report on Saturday, it appears that Van Dijk is the most probable candidate to leave at the moment.

And according to Galetti, Van Dijk has approved a meeting to discuss a potential move to Saudi Arabia with the Private Investment Fund (PIF), which backs four of the Pro-League’s top teams.

Van Dijk has already hinted at his potential departure from Anfield by stating before the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 semi-final loss to England: “I will carefully consider my options this summer, both at club level and as an international player.”

Then we will attempt it again, but first we need to recover from this.

After a season like this, where all kinds of things have happened, it gets emotional at the end because you know it’s over.

Whether that move will come this summer or next – and a pre-contract agreement being signed in January has not been ruled out either – remains to be seen.

But the Reds are very much aware of the developments and Galetti claims officials at Liverpool have responded by placing a €55m (£46.4m) price tag on the head of the 33-year-old defender.

Liverpool transfers: Approach made for Juventus defender.

Van Dijk made 48 appearances for Liverpool over the 2023/24 campaign – his first as full-time captain – and with the experienced star rolling back the years and enjoying one of his most consistent seasons on a personal level.

According to reports from Italy, Liverpool has reportedly made an inquiry with Juventus regarding the potential signing of Gleison Bremer.

The Brazilian defender is highly respected in Serie A for his defensive abilities, leading the Juve defense that only conceded 31 goals in 38 league matches last season.

With a contract until 2028, the 27-year-old would not be a cheap acquisition, as Juventus has set a price tag of €70m (£59m) in response to Liverpool’s interest.

Despite being six years younger than Van Dijk, Bremer has significant experience at the top level and could be a suitable replacement for the Liverpool captain in the heart of the defense.

Despite being less elegant and employing a more traditional style of defending compared to Van Dijk, Bremer, who is 6ft 2in tall, would offer a unique presence to the Liverpool defense if they pursue his services.

Nevertheless, Slot’s main focus is still on retaining Van Dijk, and the new Liverpool manager will be anxiously hoping that his efforts to secure a new contract for him are successful.