Revealed: Van Dijk REJECTED Chelsea before signing new Liverpool contract

Cameron Smith

17 Apr 2025 13:00 BST
4 min read

Virgil van Dijk, Enzo Maresca, Todd Boehly, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea reportedly explored the possibility of signing Virgil van Dijk on a free transfer this summer before he agreed a new contract with Liverpool.

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The Netherlands international has officially extended his stay at Anfield by a further two years, following months of exit speculation, with the club confirming his new deal just six days after announcing Mohamed Salah has also signed fresh terms.

Current ETV

Virgil van Dijk

D (C)

Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk

D (C)

Liverpool

ETV Range

€15M - €18.3M

Van Dijk is now the highest-paid defender in European football, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, with the Dutchman rewarded with a bumper salary of €465,000 (£400,000) per week.

However, The Daily Mail have now revealed that Chelsea wanted to sign Van Dijk on a Bosman deal this summer, before learning that he was set to sign a new deal with Liverpool.

The Blues were linked with a move for Van Dijk during his time at Southampton and they were reportedly interested in adding him to Enzo Maresca’s squad this summer, despite their focus on building a youthful side.

Despite interest from Chelsea, Van Dijk opted to snub the chance of a Stamford Bridge switch in favour of extending his seven-and-a-half-year spell with Liverpool.

Although Chelsea were unsuccessful in their surprise pursuit of Van Dijk, they are still expected to sign a new centre-back this summer amid the uncertain futures of Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile.

Current loanees Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi have also been tipped to leave Stamford Bridge on permanent deals ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, and the club are monitoring both Marc Guehi and Dean Huijsen as they prepare to bolster Enzo Maresca’s defensive options.

© IMAGO - Virgil van Dijk (right) with Mohamed Salah (left)

What has Virgil van Dijk said about his new Liverpool contract?

Following confirmation of his new deal at Liverpool, Van Dijk told the club’s website: “I’m very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions obviously that go through my head right now speaking about it.

“It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy.

“It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.

“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser - I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling."