Van Dijk wants Gakpo to stay at Liverpool amid Man City interest

Virgil van Dijk is optimistic Liverpool will retain Cody Gakpo, despite Manchester City showing interest in the Dutch international. City is reportedly prepared to pay £75 million for the player, who has played a pivotal role in Liverpool's title win last season. Gakpo has scored 51 goals in his three-and-a-half years at Anfield and has contributed significantly to the team's recent success. He is keen to stay at Liverpool, not only for his talent but also because he considers himself a friend of the club.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola is poised to join Liverpool for a fee that could reach £123 million, making him one of the club's most expensive acquisitions in history. Van Dijk acknowledges that Gakpo could be pushed down the pecking order at Anfield with Barcola's arrival. However, he remains confident Liverpool will always attract top talent and emphasizes the club's status as one of the world's biggest football institutions. Both players are expected to be warmly welcomed to the team.