Netherlands international Cody Gakpo has revealed the role his compatriot Virgil van Dijk played in his decision to join Premier League side Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo is set to join Liverpool after the Reds reached an agreement with PSV Eindhoven for the transfer of the highly-rated Netherlands international.
Cody Gakpo had attracted transfer interest from Manchester United in the summer transfer window of 2022, but the Red Devils eventually chose not to make a move for the 23-year-old.
Manchester United had reportedly reignited their interest in Cody Gakpo ahead of the January transfer window, and the Dutch attacker was widely expected to join the Old Trafford outfit. But it was Liverpool who swooped in to sign Gakpo.
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Cody Gakpo reveals he spoke to Virgil van Dijk before deciding to join Liverpool
Cody Gakpo has now revealed that he decided to join Liverpool after speaking with his compatriot and Reds defender Virgil van Dijk. “We spoke a lot over the phone [in] the last days,” Gakpo told Sky Sports News.
“What he told me was that this is the right move for me to make and for me to develop and to become a better player, that the club is a really big and massive club but also like a real family – I think that’s also very important for me because I’m a family guy. He said only good things.
“I’m also happy that he’s here, so he can help me with some stuff. I’m really grateful to be here.”
Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo has enjoyed an impressive 22/23 campaign so far with PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands. He has racked up 13 goals and registered 17 assists for PSV in 24 appearances in the 22/23 season.
Gakpo was also part of the Netherlands national football team that participated at the FIFA World Cup 2022. He scored three goals for the Netherlands at Qatar 2022 – one each in three of their group games.
Gakpo will be aiming to carry his good form so far this season into Liverpool when he joins the Merseyside outfit.
Meanwhile, Liverpool currently sit sixth in the English Premier League points table. Jurgen Klopp and co. have 25 points from 15 matches in the league in the 22/23 season. They are 15 points behind Arsenal, who sit atop the league table.
