Man City Star for Kevin De Bruyne Reacts to Virgil van Dijk’s New Liverpool Contract | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne Congratulates Virgil van Dijk Amid Liverpool Contract Buzz

In a week dominated by off-pitch headlines, Liverpool’s talismanic centre-back Virgil van Dijk stole the spotlight with a contract renewal that sparked both celebration and speculation. And one of the most eye-catching responses? A simple, heartfelt message from none other than Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne: “Congrats my man.”

The Belgian’s comment, posted under Van Dijk’s announcement video on Instagram, added fuel to the already simmering pot of transfer rumours linking him with a potential switch to Liverpool. While nothing concrete suggests the two could become teammates, the context adds intrigue to what might otherwise be dismissed as a routine show of camaraderie between professionals.

Van Dijk’s Contract Signals Belief and Boldness

Liverpool’s decision to extend Van Dijk’s contract by two years goes against modern football’s growing obsession with youth and resale value. At 33, he becomes the oldest outfield player in Premier League history to sign a multi-year extension without a salary cut—no small feat in today’s performance-incentivised climate.

According to The Times’ Paul Joyce, Van Dijk is set to earn around £400,000 per week. That figure would make him arguably the highest-paid defender in Europe, and it’s not just about the money—it’s the structure. His new deal emphasises team achievements over individual accolades, highlighting his integral role in Liverpool’s collective ambitions under new manager Arne Slot.

Van Dijk’s message was equally strong in its sentiment: “It was always Liverpool.” That phrase, simple yet definitive, suggests that despite interest from abroad and the inevitable whispers about age and form, his commitment to Merseyside remains unwavering.

De Bruyne’s Liverpool Links Refuse to Die Down

As for Kevin De Bruyne, his own future remains a subject of intense debate. Reports from Belgium indicate that a Premier League stay “is possible,” and his Anfield connections are well-documented. His grandfather was a Liverpool supporter, and De Bruyne himself once admitted that playing at Anfield had been a childhood dream.

Still, realism tempers the romance. De Bruyne, also 33, commands a wage that may not align with Liverpool’s current salary structure or FSG’s youth-driven transfer model. His technical brilliance remains undiminished, but Liverpool’s recent strategy suggests they may look elsewhere as they shape the next generation under Slot.

What This Means for Liverpool’s Future

Van Dijk’s renewal is symbolic as much as it is strategic. It signals stability amid change, a bridge between Klopp’s legacy and Slot’s new era. It also sends a message to the dressing room and beyond—that leadership, loyalty and proven excellence still have currency at Anfield.

As for De Bruyne, whether his Liverpool flirtation ever materialises into something more remains to be seen. But in that single, public “congrats,” fans were reminded of how interwoven football’s elite really are, and how past rivalries can morph into mutual respect.

In a sport often dominated by transactional headlines and short-term gains, the Van Dijk-De Bruyne interaction felt like a refreshing nod to football’s emotional undercurrent. Liverpool, De Bruyne, and Van Dijk: three names, one moment, and countless narratives. Whether or not the Belgian maestro ever dons red, this week, the mutual admiration was loud and clear.