Report: Liverpool set to make van Dijk world’s best-paid defender

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Liverpool are reportedly planning to make Virgil van Dijk the highest-paid defender in the world.

According to The Mirror, the Reds are looking to take advantage of record revenues and reward the Dutchman for his incredible performances at Anfield.

Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were all handed new deals last year, and it appears the man next in line is van Dijk, who is surely the best player in the world in his position right now.

Improved deals for the trio have meant Liverpool now have the third-highest wage bill in the Premier League, and costs will rise even higher once van Dijk is pens a new deal.

van Dijk’s current wages at Anfield are around £180,000-a-week according to Spotrac.

If reports are to be believed he’ll be made the best-paid defender in the world, he should earn over £200,000-a-week on a new deal. That is currently the sum Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos takes home according to Total Sportek.

TBR’s view – van Dijk would deserve it

van Dijk has proven to be a club-changing signing since arriving from Southampton in January 2018.

His influence has been undeniable, converting a once-leaky backline into a rock-solid unit.

He is surely the best centre-half on the planet and realistically, he should have a wage to reflect that.

van Dijk has entered into his peak now, and it could be that his level rises even more from here, so it’s important the club recognise that and pay their world-class talent accordingly.