Van Dijk urges Liverpool to keep Gakpo as £85m City move and Barcola deal loom

Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence on Cody Gakpo’s uncertain future at Liverpool, insisting the club should retain the Dutch winger even as a £123m agreement for PSG’s Bradley Barcola edges closer to completion and Manchester City prepare an offer that could reach £85m.

Gakpo’s position at Anfield has been thrown into doubt by Liverpool’s relentless summer recruitment. Barcola would operate in the same left-wing role, and the club are reportedly prepared to sanction Gakpo’s exit once a replacement is secured. Tottenham had registered interest, but City are now considered the frontrunners.

Van Dijk, speaking ahead of what promises to be a pivotal few days in the transfer window, made his feelings clear. “What do you think? He’s a quality player. I think we should keep quality players,” the Liverpool captain said. “Let’s see what the next few days bring. I want him to stay not only because he’s a quality player but also because he’s a friend of mine. He’s very important for us.”

The timing of Van Dijk’s comments adds weight to the debate. Gakpo had impressed in Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixture — a draw at Newcastle — outshining both Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, two players who each cost in excess of £100m.

According to ESPN, Liverpool will only approve Gakpo’s sale if they bring in another wide forward beyond Barcola. The club have turned their attention to Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr after Brighton made clear they had no intention of selling Yankuba Minteh, who had been Liverpool’s original target before successive bids were rejected.

Gakpo joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven following the 2022 World Cup and has scored 51 goals in 182 appearances, though he has never fully established himself as the team’s primary attacking threat. The arrival of Isak on a British record fee, followed by Wirtz and potentially Barcola, has prompted the club to reassess their options in the final third.

Should Barcola complete his move, head coach Ruben Iraola would have a front three assembled for a combined outlay exceeding £300m, with Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz providing further depth. Whether Gakpo features in those plans beyond the summer remains, as Van Dijk put it, a matter for the next few days.