Virgil van Dijk provides new Liverpool contract update | OneFootball

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed that a decision over his future will be announced "in the upcoming weeks".

Van Dijk's uncertain contractual status has been a major talking point throughout the entire campaign. Much like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, the Dutch defender is poised to become a free agent in July and is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

After it initially appeared that Van Dijk was the most likely of the three contract hold-outs to stay at Anfield, speculation about the 33-year-old's departure has gathered pace this calendar year. There's been talk of eye-watering offers from Saudi Arabia and plenty of interest from European clubs.

In a fruitless bid to chip away at the mounting pile of gossip, Van Dijk has been defiantly vague about his future, repeatedly insisting that nothing has yet been decided. Liverpool's skipper didn't change that stance, but did reveal a rough timescale for when this uncertainty will be mercifully concluded.

Virgil van Dijk will be 34 heading into next season / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Speaking at a Cadbury's event on Thursday which was captured by one fan, Van Dijk offered up: "I can't say more than there will be news in the upcoming weeks.

"Whether it's positive or not, I have no idea at this point, well I don't know.

"I mentioned it many times before, I said, I am calm, this is what happened many times before. I love the club and the club loves me, I love playing for Liverpool, I love being round the boys each and every day.

"At this stage, I'm not really panicking whatsoever, so - let's see."

Liverpool, for their part, are said to be "optimistic" that Van Dijk - and Salah - will sign new deals before the campaign's conclusion. It's unlikely that Alexander-Arnold will join his teammates in staying on at Anfield given the numerous reports that have tipped him to be on the verge of joining Real Madrid.