Three nights remain before the January transfer window opens. Clubs have been taking action to outbid other clubs, to outright get their transfer targets into the team, or to get early agreement with their transfer targets.
Many players gained prominence during the World Cup, and there has been continuous conjecture over some of the athletes who made their mark on the international stage in Qatar during the Olympics.
Cody Gakpo, a winger for PSV, made an impression in Qatar even though English clubs were already keeping an eye on him. Following their match against Aston Villa, Liverpool initially broke the news that Gakpo had joined them from PSV Eindhoven.
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According to BBC Sports, the transfer cost between £35 million and £44 million. The young Dutchman has now discussed the influence that Virgil van Dijk had on his decision to move to Anfield.
Why Van Dijk persuaded Gakpo
According to the Guardian, Van Dijk, whose transfer was also finalized at this time five years prior, was instrumental in persuading his compatriot to sign with the Reds. The former PSV player was glowing in his first interview with Liverpool, which was posted on the club’s official website:
Gakpo also shared a private discussion he had with Van Dijk, in which Van Dijk promised to assist the newest Liverpool recruit in settling down in Merseyside.
Ten Hag has no remorse
Due to his Dutch ties to head coach Erik ten Hag, Manchester United was also interested in Gakpo, and many people thought that he would join the team.
The 23-year-old joined Man United’s biggest rivals, but as Sports Brief previously revealed, the manager of the Red Devils steadfastly declined to be drawn into explaining what happened during the transfer talks.
The former Ajax manager expressed confidence in his current squad of attackers, saying that more time spent working together will only help them advance.