Former Celtic hero Virgil van Dijk has agreed a bumper new six-year deal with Liverpool .
The European Footballer of the Year is set to pen a contract keeping him with the Anfield club until at least 2025.
And Manchester United new boy Harry Maguire has reportedly played a key role in the Dutchman's deal - even if he knows nothing of it.
According to our colleagues at the Mirror , van Dijk's agreement has been sealed thanks to the £69million benchmark set by new United signing Harry Maguire. That transfer gave Van Dijk ’s representatives the target for what they needed.
Talks had been ongoing throughout the summer between Reds' chiefs and van Dijk's representatives.
The defender's current deal was not due to expire until 2023 after his switch from Southampton for £75m just 20 months ago.
But sources in Holland have confirmed that the centre-half will be staying on Merseyside after the two sides successfully concluded talks.
According to the Mirror the 28-year-old will see his basic pay rocket from £125,000 to nearer £200,000 before bonuses are even considered. Add-ons include the usual goals, clean sheets and appearances.
His new contract will give him an improved basic pay with less dependency on the additional payments than before.
The parties had been discussing improved terms for Van Dijk, even before the £80m world-record fee for a defender that was secured when Maguire left Leicester for Old Trafford.
