Liverpool will activate magnificent £47m clause for sensational star

Liverpool are going to be buying another defender in the near future.

Everything is gearing up for the departure of Virgil van Dijk. He is entering the final year of his contract at Anfield. Liverpool decided to extend his deal last year.

However, with Van Dijk set to turn 36-years-old next summer it's really hard to see Liverpool's board extending his stay even further than his current terms.

Obviously, at this stage anything can happen. A lot will depend on the new direction the club is going to take. Especially in terms of who the new sporting director will be and just how involved the new consortium led by Amit Bhatia who now own 33% of Liverpool are going to be as well.

But the truth is the foundations are there for Liverpool to succeed Van Dijk.

Liverpool's exciting plans for their centre-backs

The Reds signed one of the best young centre-back prospects in Jeremy Jacquet, who has immediately slotted in alongside Van Dijk following his arrival at Anfield.

Behind him Giovanni Leoni is making good progress in his recovery from injury and there's a strong expectation that he is also going to play a key role in the future of the club.

If his sole Liverpool appearance to date is anything to go by, then he could be a very exciting addition.

Ifeanyi Ndukwe showed in pre-season just how impressive of a talent he is. He will be looking to earn enough points while on loan at Levante in order to be able to return to Liverpool in January.

And Mor Talla Ndiaye is another exciting left-sided defender who very much fits into the philosophy of the club.

All four of them are expected to make their way through the ranks in the coming years.

Liverpool will activate Ronald Araujo's clause

But while it's all nice and exciting to have all these young players, ultimately Van Dijk's departure is going to leave a massive void.

His experience is very valuable to this squad and Liverpool are going to need to replace it.

Well, it looks like they have an answer for that as well.

Diario Sport are reporting that the Reds have so far been very pleased by Araujo since his loan transfer from Barcelona. They claim that if all continues in the same trajectory, Liverpool are very likely to trigger the buy-option clause in his contract.

In our opinion, this won't even be a question. The £47m Richard Hughes agreed for Araujo is already looking like a bargain.

Araujo is a brilliant defender and Liverpool are now certain to keep him at the club on a permanent deal. He has very quickly become an important part of the Reds' future plans.