LIVERPOOL center-back Virgil van Dijk’s agents quickly rebuffed an approach from Barcelona, it has been claimed.
The Mirror report that Barcelona made inquiries to the representatives of the Dutch center-back to find out whether or not he might be tempted by a move to the Nou Camp.
But it is claimed any chance of a big-money move away from Liverpool for Van Dijk - who is managed by Neil Fewings of the Wasserman Media Group - was shut down.
That will be welcome news to Reds supporters, with the 28-year-old has been a revelation at Anfield since his £75million move from Southampton 18 months ago.
The Netherlands international has transformed the club’s defense since his arrival, establishing himself as one of the best center-backs in the world in the process.
Van Dijk was crucial as Liverpool went on to win the Champions League last season, beating Tottenham in Madrid in their sixth European Cup triumph.
His defensive talents saw him named the PFA Player of the Year as the Merseyside outfit also lost just once in the Premier League and managed the best defensive record in the division, conceding 22 goals in 38 games.
Liverpool missed out on the league title to an imperious Manchester City side but Van Dijk will be crucial if the club is to end their 30-year wait for a championship next term - and he isn’t going anywhere says The Mirror.
His performances have even seen Van Dijk tipped to win the Ballon d’Or this year, with Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi seemingly his biggest rival for the award.
Speaking before the Champions League final, Van Dijk declared to the club’s official website: “It’s my club definitely and I'm very proud to be wearing this shirt every day.
“But it's also one of the reasons when I came here - how everyone lives around Liverpool, lives and dies for the club, want to do everything for us, will be there in tough times.
“They will also be with us in the good times.
“I think this is a real football club and you don't have too many at this level that is living and breathing for a club like Liverpool.“It was a very important decision [for me] to make, but so far it has gone pretty well.”
And ESPN report that Van Dijk - the most expensive defender in the world - is keen to sign a new deal with the European champions.
Neither the club or the player are said to be in a rush to open negotiations but it is thought terms will be agreed without any issues.
Van Dijk is among the club’s top-earning stars on around £180,000-a-week, with Mohamed Salah thought to the best-paid of Jurgen Klopp’s squad on around £200,000-a-week.
The pair will not return to Klopp’s contingent until later this month, having been in international action for Holland at the UEFA Nations League and Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations respectively.
