Virgil van Dijk has already praised an apparent Liverpool transfer target, as the club is considering a move similar to that of Cody Gakpo
Liverpool fans are likely to lose count of the number of midfielders linked to their club in the coming months.
As we get closer to the summer transfer window, the Reds’ anticipated rebuild has been well-documented. And, of course, we now know who will not be in the frame.
The decision to withdraw from the race for Jude Bellingham was made after Jürgen Klopp and FSG realized the true state of the Liverpool squad. Given the difficulties encountered this season, it was determined that concentrating their efforts on a single big-name signing would not get to the root of the problem.
Instead, they’ve decided that targeting multiple players is the best strategy. It remains to be seen whether passing up the chance to sign a generational talent is worth the risk, but it has opened the floodgates for midfielders to be linked with a move to Anfield.
Every day, new names, as well as some familiar ones, appear to be added to the list. Many can be quickly dismissed, but some do make for intriguing suggestions, especially when Manchester United and Erik ten Hag appear to be dead set on signing them.
Last summer, Frenkie de Jong was the subject of a lengthy transfer saga as Ten Hag attempted to bring his former Ajax talisman to Old Trafford, but Barcelona ultimately held on to the midfielder. However, he may become available again this summer, and Liverpool may be in the running this time.
According to the Spanish publication Fichajes, Liverpool sees De Jong as a potential replacement for Bellingham, and with Barcelona looking to cut $220 million (£177 million/€200 million) from its wage bill (Sport), a deal could benefit both parties.
While De Jong may not excite Liverpool fans as much as Bellingham, Virgil van Dijk would undoubtedly be of a different mind. The defender knows the 25-year-old well, having played alongside him for the Netherlands, and it’s safe to say he holds high regard for him.
Van Dijk was asked to name the best compatriot he has played with on Spotify’s Pitch Side podcast ahead of the World Cup in Qatar: “In the national team, I would say Frenkie de Jong.” We started to change the way we play after he made his debut, and he’s been so influential for us and is incredible.”
The ability to change the way a team plays would undoubtedly appeal to Klopp, who will need to shake things up in midfield next season. And, given Van Dijk’s history, Klopp may already have a relationship with De Jong.
The defender was a key figure in Cody Gakpo’s January move to Anfield, with a conversation with his international captain ultimately leading to the former PSV star joining the club.
“We spoke a lot over the phone [in] the last few days,” Gakpo said after signing with the club, according to the club’s website.
“What he told me was that this is the right move for me to make and for me to develop and become a better player, that the club is a really big and massive club but also like a real family – which I think is also very important for me because I’m a family guy.” He only said positive things.
Van Dijk may have downplayed his role in Gakpo’s move to Liverpool (via 90min), but there’s no doubt the defender commands respect among his Dutch teammates. Perhaps another conversation when the Netherlands face Croatia in the Nations League in June will persuade another player to join Liverpool.
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