New Liverpool boss Arne Slot has suggested that the club’s summer business is already in motion, with the recent contract extensions of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah marking the first steps in their plans. The Dutch manager emphasized that securing the futures of the Reds’ star players was his top priority upon taking charge.
Slot views the new deals for Van Dijk and Salah as crucial investments, equivalent to high-profile signings in the transfer market. The 33-year-old Dutch defender ended speculation over his future by committing to Liverpool, following Salah’s decision to extend his stay at Anfield.
Before finalizing his contract, Van Dijk hinted at a significant summer ahead for the club, fueling expectations of major reinforcements. However, with Liverpool on the brink of Premier League glory—potentially sealing the title in their upcoming clash against Leicester—Slot insists that retaining the core of the squad is just as vital as new arrivals.
“The summer is already shaping up to be big,” Slot said. “The priority was ensuring we kept our key players, and by securing two of them, we’ve taken a massive step. Now, we’ll see what else the window brings.”
“It would be strange for me to say I’m not happy with the squad—I’ve praised them all season. If we can keep this group together, that alone would be a huge success for the summer.”
The new contracts for Salah and Van Dijk will cost Liverpool nearly £80 million over the next two years. However, the club still faces a challenge in convincing Trent Alexander-Arnold to sign an extension, with Real Madrid reportedly monitoring the situation.
Slot also credited sporting director Richard Hughes for finalizing the deals, highlighting his role in overcoming months of speculation. “Richard deserves a lot of credit for getting these contracts over the line,” he added. “There was a lot of talk about what wasn’t being done, but in the end, we achieved what we wanted.”
With key players secured and potential signings on the horizon, Slot’s Liverpool appear poised for an ambitious summer ahead.
