{
  "id": 4441083,
  "title": "Van Dijk wants Gakpo to stay at Liverpool amid Man City interest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/van-dijk-wants-gakpo-to-stay-at-liverpool-amid-man-city-interest-4441083",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T14:30:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/08/1522270/van-dijk-wants-gakpo-stay-liverpool-amid-man-city-interest"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Virgil van Dijk hopes Liverpool will retain Cody Gakpo, despite Manchester City reportedly pursuing the Dutch international before the transfer deadline on Tuesday. Gakpo is anticipated to be pushed down the pecking order at Anfield following the arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for an estimated fee of £123 million ($166 million), making Barcola the second most expensive player in Premier League history. Gakpo has contributed 51 goals in three-and-a-half years at Liverpool and played an instrumental role in the club's 20th English top-flight title in the 2024/25 season. The 27-year-old has impressed in his recent form, scoring one goal and providing an assist as Liverpool drew their opening two games under Andoni Iraola. Van Dijk expressed his desire to keep Gakpo, citing his qualities and personal friendship, while acknowledging Liverpool's potential to attract top talents. Van Dijk emphasized Liverpool's continued relevance amid a transition period, stating his unwavering commitment to the club.",
  "summary": "LIVERPOOL: Virgil van Dijk is hoping Liverpool hang on to Cody Gakpo with Manchester City reportedly closing in on the Dutch international before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Van Dijk wants Gakpo to stay at Liverpool amid Man City interest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/van-dijk-wants-gakpo-to-stay-at-liverpool-amid-man-city-interest",
        "published": "2026-08-30T12:28:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Van Dijk wants Cody Gakpo to stay at Liverpool despite Man City interest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/van-dijk-wants-cody-gakpo-to-stay-at-liverpool-despite-man-city",
        "published": "2026-08-30T13:10:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Van Dijk wants Gakpo to stay at Liverpool amid Man City interest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/van-dijk-wants-gakpo-to-stay-at-liverpool-amid-man-city-interest-4440102",
        "published": "2026-08-30T14:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Nottingham Forest target Liverpool’s Giorgi Mamardashvili as new No.1 amid late-window reshuffle",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/nottingham-forest-target-liverpools-giorgi-mamardashvili-as-new-no-1",
        "published": "2026-08-30T14:55:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}