Rizky Amelia
Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk has publicly expressed his desire for the club to retain Cody Gakpo, despite growing interest from Premier League rivals Manchester City. With the transfer deadline fast approaching, City is reportedly closing in on the Dutch international, who has been a key player for Liverpool over the past three and a half years.
Gakpo, who has scored 51 goals for Liverpool and played a pivotal role in the club's 20th English top-flight title in the 2024-25 campaign, has made a promising start to the current season, netting one goal and providing an assist in the team's opening two games. However, the arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, who could cost up to $166 million, threatens to push Gakpo down the pecking order at Anfield.
Despite the potential loss of his teammate, Van Dijk remains hopeful that Liverpool will prioritize keeping Gakpo, not only for his on-field contributions but also for his personal connection to the player. "He's a quality player, and I think we should keep quality players, but let's see what the next three days bring," Van Dijk said. "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."
The potential departure of Gakpo comes as Liverpool appears open to cashing in on his talents. Manchester City is reportedly willing to pay a hefty sum of 75 million pounds ($101.6 million) for the Dutch forward. With Barcola's arrival imminent, Liverpool may be looking to capitalize on the market value of Gakpo, who has become a transfer target for several top clubs.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Gakpo's future, Van Dijk remains confident in Liverpool's ability to attract and retain top talent. "I think Liverpool are still one of the biggest clubs in the world," he said. "Obviously, we all know that we’re going through a transition, and you either want to be part of it or you don’t. I’m part of it now."
The arrival of Barcola, despite Liverpool's disappointing finish in the Premier League last season, has been seen as a positive step forward for the club. The Frenchman's potential transfer fee would make him the second-most expensive player in Premier League history, behind only Mohamed Salah.
However, the addition of Barcola does not necessarily spell the end of Gakpo's time at Liverpool. The Dutch forward has been a standout player for the club, and his departure would be a significant loss. Van Dijk's comments suggest that the club is still considering its options and may ultimately decide to keep Gakpo, especially given his friendship with the player.
In the meantime, Liverpool faces an early-season challenge as they adjust to a new manager and a changing squad. Andoni Iraola's appointment as head coach has been met with mixed reactions, with some fans questioning the club's decision to replace the sacked Arne Slot. However, the team has shown resilience, coming back from behind in both of their opening games to draw 2-2 against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
As the transfer deadline approaches, Liverpool's future remains uncertain. The club must balance its financial interests with its desire to keep key players like Gakpo. With Van Dijk's support, Gakpo's future at Liverpool could still be secure, but only time will tell if the club will prioritize keeping its star player or cash in on his talents.
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