Liverpool are set to offer Virgil van Dijk a mega new deal because of the “benchmark set by new Manchester United signing Harry Maguire”, according to reports.
The Red Devils made the England International the world’s most expensive defender in the summer after forking out £80million to bring him to Old Trafford.
This topped the £75m Liverpool splashed out on van Dijk 20 months ago, with the Netherlands star since establishing himself as one of the best in the game.
The 28-year-old still has just under four years remaining on his current £125,000-a week-deal but he finalised talks on a fresh contract last week.
According to the Sunday Mirror, the Dutchman has penned a bumper new six-year contract worth close to £200,000-a-week.
This will see van Dijk commit his best years to the Merseyside club, with the defender tied to the six-time European Cup winners until 2025.
Contract talks between the two had begun at the start of the summer, but it was claimed that Maguire landing £190k-a-week to join rivals United was a factor during negotiations.
Van Dijk was a key figure for Liverpool as they lifted the Champions League for a sixth time, and has since been made the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.
The former Celtic star then became the first defender ever to win the competition’s Player of the Year while also recording the tournament’s fastest sprint.
Now he has been joined by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the journalist for Fifa’s The Best award.
