After Leo Messi’s departure from Copa America, Sky Bet, one of the leading bookmakers, changed the coefficients. Now the main favorite is Van Dijk (4/6). He is followed by Messi (6/5), Cristiano Ronaldo (12/1), Mohammed Salah (12/1), and Eden Azar (25/1).
Last season, Van Dijk helped Liverpool win the Champions League. In the semifinals of the Merseyside, Messi’s Barcelona were thrown out, and Van Dijk even won the personal duel against the Argentinean forward.
It is not often that the defender wins the golden ball. The last such was Italian Fabio Cannavaro when Italy won the 2006 World Cup.
Noteworthy, that in top ten favorites, four are Liverpool’s players: 1) Liverpool: Virgil Van Dijk (4/6); 2) Barcelona: Lionel Messi (6/5); 3) Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo (12/1); 4) Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (18/1); 5) Real Madrid: Eden Hazard (25/1); 6) Liverpool: Sadio Mane (25/1); 7) Manchester City: Bernardo Silva (28/1); 8) Paris St Germain: Kylian Mbappe (33/1); 9) Manchester City: Raheem Sterling (33/1); 10) Liverpool: Alisson Becker (66/1).
New contract for Van Dijk – Liverpool’s big plans
According to English media, Liverpool are preparing a new contract for Virgil Van Dijk, according to which the Dutch defender will make up to £ 50m in five years.
The 28-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the club when moving from Southampton to Liverpool, after which Virgil has already spent two years in the Liverpool ranks.
Under the new contract, Virgil will receive £ 150,000 a week, and concerning bonus amounts, Van Dijk will receive £ 50m over the next five years: £ 6m for a new contract, £ 5m for club loyalists and £ 4m for 150 matches.
According to English media, Juventus are also interested in the Dutch defender. The Bianconeri are ready to pay 180m Euros for Virgil.
Italians hope that Van Dijk will have a desire to face a new challenge as he will already have won everything with Liverpool. As a reminder, Virgil has won the Champions League, European Super Cup and World Club Championship in the English team. If no miracle happens, Virgil will also gain the Premier League this season.