Virgil van Dijk backs Cody Gakpo to stay amid Man City transfer links
Synopsis
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has gone public in his support for keeping Cody Gakpo — but the club's reported £123 million deal for PSG's Bradley Barcola suggests a Gakpo exit may already be in motion. With Manchester City circling and the transfer window closing, Anfield faces a pivotal few days.
Key Takeaways
Virgil van Dijk publicly backed Cody Gakpo to remain at Liverpool after the club's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest .
Van Dijk described Gakpo as 'a quality player' and a personal friend through the Netherlands national team .
Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly in active talks over Gakpo's transfer.
Liverpool have agreed a deal worth £123 million for PSG forward Bradley Barcola , with his medical scheduled for Sunday .
Van Dijk said Barcola 'will be welcomed with open arms' and praised his pace and Champions League record.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has publicly backed the club to retain winger Cody Gakpo, even as transfer talks with Manchester City reportedly gather pace. Speaking after Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Van Dijk made clear his personal and professional stake in keeping the Dutch forward at Anfield.
Van Dijk's Backing for Gakpo
'What do you think? He's a quality player. I think we should keep quality players,' Van Dijk told reporters when asked about Gakpo's future. The Liverpool skipper went further, citing his bond with Gakpo through the Netherlands national team. '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,' he added.
Gakpo Transfer Situation
Liverpool and Manchester City are understood to be in active discussions over the Dutch forward, with a move that could bring his Anfield spell to a close. Meanwhile, the club has reportedly agreed a deal worth £123 million for Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, with the French international set to undergo his medical on Sunday — signalling that the club is preparing for a potential Gakpo departure.
Van Dijk on Barcola Arrival
Van Dijk offered a warm welcome to the incoming Barcola, recalling a memorable goal the winger scored against Chelsea in the Champions League last season. 'He's a good player, someone with pace... If he comes here then he will be welcomed with open arms,' Van Dijk said. The £123 million fee, if confirmed, would rank among the largest outlays in Liverpool's transfer history.
Van Dijk on Liverpool's Ambition
The Liverpool captain also pushed back against any perception that the club struggles to attract elite talent during its current transitional phase. 'I don't think there's any doubt that a club like Liverpool is very attractive to very good players. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world,' he said. 'Adding quality to the squad always makes a difference. Let's see what the next few days bring. After Tuesday, we have to fight for everything with no regrets,' Van Dijk added.
This comes amid a busy final stretch of the transfer window, with Liverpool navigating both inbound and outbound moves simultaneously. How the Gakpo situation resolves in the coming days will shape the squad's attacking options heading into the heart of the season.
Point of View
Which reads less like squad depth and more like a planned replacement. If the Gakpo-for-Barcola swap materialises, Liverpool will have traded a proven Premier League contributor for an unproven, high-cost winger — a gamble that Arne Slot's system will need to justify quickly. The transition Van Dijk references is real, and how this window closes will define Liverpool's ceiling this season.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Virgil van Dijk say about Cody Gakpo's transfer?
Van Dijk said he wants Gakpo to stay at Liverpool, calling him 'a quality player' and a personal friend from the Netherlands national team. He made the remarks after Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Is Cody Gakpo joining Manchester City?
Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly in talks over Gakpo, though no deal has been confirmed. The situation is expected to develop in the final days of the transfer window.
Who is Bradley Barcola and how much is Liverpool paying?
Bradley Barcola is a French international winger currently at Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal worth £123 million for him, with his medical scheduled for Sunday.
Why is Liverpool's transfer window significant this summer?
Liverpool are simultaneously managing a potential high-profile exit in Gakpo and a record-level signing in Barcola, reflecting a broader squad transition that Van Dijk himself acknowledged after the Nottingham Forest draw.
What did Van Dijk say about Liverpool's ability to attract top players?
Van Dijk dismissed doubts about Liverpool's pulling power, saying the club is 'one of the biggest in the world' and that 'adding quality to the squad always makes a difference.'
