Virgil van Dijk Drops Major Hint About Liverpool's Exciting Transfer Plans
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has praised the club's "excellent signings" during this transfer window while hinting at the possibility of additional new players joining.
The acquisition of Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday for a reported £78 million ($104.6 million) represents the most recent signing in a record-setting summer that has already welcomed players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to Anfield.
Van Dijk had anticipated this activity. In May, the Dutch defender cautioned Liverpool's competitors that it would be "a significant summer regarding incoming players" for the Premier League title holders.
Even after investing nearly £270 million ($362.5 million), Liverpool's solid financial standing provides them with the flexibility to continue their recruitment drive. Speculation about a possible pursuit of Newcastle United's reportedly unsettled forward Alexander Isak continues to intensify daily.
When questioned about Liverpool's bold transfer strategy and the likelihood of further signings during the club's Asian tour, Van Dijk responded to the Anfield Wrap: "I believe every team has attempted to strengthen their squad—and we have as well, I think we've made excellent additions to our team thus far."
"We'll see what unfolds during the remainder of the transfer period. But I believe it all comes down to dedication, demonstrating our abilities and maintaining consistency, and we all understand how challenging that can be. So we will concentrate on ourselves and the hard work is clearly already underway—we're training intensively, with double sessions in this heat and humidity."
The recent focus on Ekitiké and Isak developments has somewhat overshadowed the fact that Wirtz's signing was considered a remarkable achievement for Liverpool earlier this summer. The player and his family have emphasized the influence that manager Arne Slot had on his choice to select Liverpool over Bayern Munich, and it seems Van Dijk also played a role in convincing Wirtz.
"Liverpool is the ideal destination," was the Netherlands captain's primary message.
"When I became part of this club I declared: 'I don't believe there's a superior place to be than Liverpool'. I genuinely feel that way," Van Dijk told reporters this week. "We experienced an outstanding season and I sense this can only improve further. When Florian discussed with the club and various players, I also had a brief conversation with him, I'm confident he understood the atmosphere and then made his choice.
"By joining us, he can truly make a significant difference in my view. It's also up to him to prove it daily. He's progressing well and it's encouraging to witness."