Virgil van Dijk is adamant that Cody Gakpo should be playing for a top club - as it emerges the Netherlands international is in advanced talks to sign for Liverpool.
Mirror Sport understands that Liverpool have hijacked Manchester United's transfer for the PSV Eindhoven forward, who netted three times for the Netherlands during the 2022 World Cup.
The striker is expected to set Liverpool back an initial £37million and will provide the likes of Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino with more competition for a place in the starting XI.
Erik ten Hag and Man United are huge admirers of the striker and were heavily linked with him during the World Cup. Following the Netherlands' 3-1 win over the United States in Qatar, Van Dijk was asked about the likelihood of Gakpo joining the Red Devils.
And his response made it clear he believed his international teammate had his heart set on joining another club.
"Are Manchester United and Real Madrid on the same level? asked Van Dijk. "No disrespect, not at all. I definitely think he has that next step in him. I feel like it could happen, whether that is in the winter or the summer or next year, time will tell.
"He is a great boy who works hard, very talented and there is more in him. We are so pleased he is doing so well for us. Long may it continue."
The news comes after Van Dijk publicly put pressure on Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to sign more players as the Reds beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Premier League this Monday.
"Hopefully the injured players can come back soon," said Van Dijk. "And hopefully we can welcome some new players at our football club. We will see. I think that quality is always welcome at Liverpool."
One man who isn't convinced Gakpo would be right for Liverpool, however, is former Reds winger John Barnes.
He recently told BonusCodeBets: "A lot of top clubs will be interested in Cody Gakpo because he played amazing for the Netherlands during the World Cup. Gakpo needs to decide if he wants to play regularly when choosing a new club.
"Because if he joins Liverpool he will not be able to get into the starting XI. There are a lot of good players in that position in Liverpool so he would only be a squad player.
"So, it really depends on what Gakpo wants. Not many clubs have the same attacking strength that Liverpool has and he needs to consider if he wants to play week in, week out or sit on the bench."
