Breaking : Saudi dealmakers approach Van Dijk as Arsenal and Villa learn Champions League fate

Saudi interest in Van Dijk emerges as European competitions heat up

In Short

Saudi dealmakers approach Liverpool captain amid contract uncertainty

In a significant development for Premier League giants Liverpool, captain Virgil van Dijk has been approached by Saudi dealmakers representing Al-Hilal, talkSPORT has learned. The Dutch defender, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has reportedly not engaged with these approaches as he remains focused on concluding contract discussions with Liverpool and preparing for Sunday’s League Cup Final against Newcastle United.

Van Dijk’s situation has become increasingly scrutinized following Liverpool’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout on March 11, 2025. The timing couldn’t be more poignant for the defender, as the defeat came on his birthday – continuing a peculiar trend where Liverpool has lost all three matches played on Robertson’s birthday during his time at the club.

After the match, Van Dijk was spotted chatting with PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos, fueling speculation about his future. When questioned about his plans, the 2019 Champions League winner admitted uncertainty: “I still have no idea at the moment. Genuinely. At the moment I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.”

Since arriving from Southampton for a then-record £80 million fee, Van Dijk has made 310 appearances for the Reds, establishing himself as one of the world’s premier defenders. His potential departure would represent a significant blow for Liverpool’s title ambitions, with the team requiring just 16 points from their remaining games to secure the Premier League trophy.

This approach from Saudi Pro League representatives highlights the continuing financial power of Saudi Arabian football, which has already attracted numerous high-profile players from European leagues. Analytical projections suggest that any offer for Van Dijk would likely exceed £30 million per year in wages, potentially making it difficult for Liverpool to match in negotiations.

English clubs learn their European fates as tournament phases intensify

Arsenal and Aston Villa have discovered their Champions League quarter-final opponents following their successful progression from the round of 16. The Gunners, who demolished PSV Eindhoven 9-2 on aggregate, will face defending champions Real Madrid in what promises to be a monumental clash. Villa, after securing a 3-1 aggregate victory over Club Brugge, have been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in their first Champions League quarter-final since 1982.

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has backed Arsenal to go all the way in the competition after their impressive performances. Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Saunders stated: “Arsenal breezed through. I think that they have got a good chance of winning the Champions League. Defensively, when they’ve got a full team out, they only let in 24 goals in the league and so they can keep a clean sheet against anybody.”

Jamie O’Hara expressed similar enthusiasm for Aston Villa’s prospects, comparing a potential Villa Champions League triumph to Leicester City’s historic Premier League victory. “If Villa went on to win it, wouldn’t that be an unbelievable story for English football? Like when Leicester won the Premier League, everybody talks about it, it’s a great story,” O’Hara remarked on the Sports Bar.

Meanwhile, tonight sees four British clubs in European action across the Europa League and Conference League. Manchester United face Real Sociedad with the tie delicately balanced at 1-1, while Tottenham must overturn a 1-0 deficit against AZ Alkmaar. Rangers defend a 3-1 lead against Fenerbahce, and Chelsea look to capitalize on their 2-1 advantage over Copenhagen in the Conference League.

The intrigue surrounding Manchester United’s match has intensified after European football expert Kevin Hatchard revealed: “Real Sociedad had big chances to win the first leg. They won at Old Trafford in 2022 and their coach at the time, Imanol Alguacil, who is still their coach, said, ‘Look, we’ve done it once, we can do it again.'” This prediction aligns with the statistical models showing United’s inconsistent European form this season.

Managerial developments and contract talks shape Premier League landscape

Crystal Palace have opened negotiations with manager Oliver Glasner regarding a contract extension, with the 50-year-old Austrian having transformed the Eagles’ fortunes since his appointment. According to Fabrizio Romano, Palace are eager to secure Glasner’s services amid interest from European clubs, particularly RB Leipzig.

Under Glasner’s guidance, Palace have lost just two of their last 14 matches across all competitions, securing notable victories over Aston Villa and Manchester United. The team has risen to 11th in the Premier League table and advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals. Reports suggest Glasner is seeking assurances about summer investment, particularly if key players depart Selhurst Park.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his desire to return to the North London club in the future. Speaking to talkSPORT Drive, the current USA national team coach said: “To be honest, the day that I left the club always I was thinking one day to come back. It’s not that I was thinking before the offer from the USA national team, I was thinking to come back.”

His comments come amidst growing pressure on current Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who has been forced to address his pre-season claim that he “always wins trophies in his second year.” With Tottenham struggling in 13th place and eliminated from domestic cup competitions, Postecoglou defended his statement: “I wasn’t making anything up. People have used it for their own purposes to suggest I was making a bold claim, but I wasn’t, I was stating a fact.”

Elsewhere, Manchester United’s ambitious plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium have sparked debate, with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham clarifying that taxpayers’ money would not fund the construction. “The firm principle on which we are proceeding is that there is no public money used in the construction of the new stadium,” Burnham told talkSPORT.

Wayne Rooney offered a scathing assessment of United’s current squad, suggesting “10 to 15 players need to leave the club” as they appear “lost” and “scared” on the pitch. The club legend emphasized that only Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo would be among his retained players if he were making decisions at Old Trafford, where performances have fallen dramatically below expectations this season.