**Van Dijk Urges Liverpool to Retain Gakpo Amid Manchester City Interest**
In the lead-up to the Premier League transfer deadline, Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk has expressed his desire for the club to retain Cody Gakpo, who has attracted interest from rivals Manchester City. The Dutch international has made a notable start to the season, contributing one goal and an assist in Liverpool's opening two matches, both of which ended in draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
Reports suggest that Manchester City is preparing a substantial offer for Gakpo, estimated at £75 million ($101.6 million). This potential move comes as Liverpool is reportedly set to welcome Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, a transfer that could see the French winger become the second-most expensive player in Premier League history, with a fee potentially rising to $166 million.
Gakpo, who has been with Liverpool for three and a half years, has made a significant impact during his time at the club, scoring 51 goals and playing a crucial role in securing Liverpool's 20th English top-flight title in the 2024–25 season. However, the arrival of Barcola may push Gakpo further down the squad hierarchy.
Van Dijk, a key figure in Liverpool's defense and a friend of Gakpo, emphasized the importance of retaining quality players like him. "He’s a quality player, and I think we should keep quality players," Van Dijk stated. "Obviously, it’s pretty clear that I want him to stay, not only because he is the quality player that he is, but also because he’s a friend of mine, and I think he will be very important for us."
Despite the club's struggles last season, finishing fifth in the Premier League, Van Dijk remains optimistic about Liverpool's appeal to top players. "I think Liverpool are still one of the biggest clubs in the world. Obviously, we all know that we’re going through a transition, and you either want to be part of it, or you don’t," he remarked.
New manager Andoni Iraola faces challenges as he attempts to solidify the team's defensive structure, which has been tested in the early matches of the season. Liverpool has shown resilience by coming from behind in both games, a quality Van Dijk noted positively, but he also acknowledged the need for improvement. "We have to score more; we have to concede less," he said, referring to the team's defensive lapses that allowed Nottingham Forest to secure an unbeaten record against them over the past three seasons.
As the transfer deadline approaches, the future of Cody Gakpo remains uncertain, but Van Dijk's comments highlight the importance of the player to Liverpool's ambitions this season. The club's decision on Gakpo will likely be influenced by the potential arrival of Barcola and the financial implications of both transfers.