Report: Salah, Van Dijk close to signing Liverpool extensions

Liverpool are finalizing new two-year contracts for pending free agents Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, sources told The Athletic's David Ornstein.

The breakthrough in talks brings much-needed clarity to the contract situations of Liverpool's two most important players. The development also numbs the potential sting of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Salah, 32, isn't facing a salary reduction despite initial concerns about his age, according to The Times' Paul Joyce. The Egyptian has been reportedly seeking a multi-year contract to build on his eight-year stay at Anfield.

Van Dijk said after Liverpool's 3-2 loss to Fulham on Sunday that "progress" was being made toward a new contract.

"I love the club. I love the fans, and they were there for us again," the Dutch defender added.

Speculation over the future of Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold followed Liverpool even as they mounted an unexpected bid for the Premier League title. Head coach Arne Slot maintained throughout the year that he was counting on Salah to stay.

Salah expressed frustration in November that he hadn't received an offer from Liverpool, saying he was "more out than in" and that his future wasn't in his hands. Reports continued to link him with a move to one of Saudi Arabia's top clubs, including Al-Hilal, who apparently identified Salah as a replacement for Neymar. Liverpool previously rejected a reported £150-million bid from Al-Hilal in September 2023.

Salah's stunning form this season has made it difficult for the Reds to consider allowing the Premier League's leading scorer to leave for free. He has 32 goals and 22 assists in all competitions this season and is now set to add to his total of 243 goals since the start of the 2017-18 campaign.