Iraola's Van Dijk Stance Clear as Liverpool Embark on Summer Overhaul

Liverpool's summer rebuild has already claimed two significant departures, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leaving Anfield as the Reds usher in a fresh chapter under new boss Andoni Iraola. Yet reports suggesting the club might offload another key figure have been firmly rebutted.

Van Dijk finds himself out of contract at the end of next season, and speculation had mounted that the 34-year-old could depart this window following his involvement in the 2026 World Cup with the Netherlands. While Fenway Sports Group indicated they would entertain bids for their captain, Iraola has made his position crystal clear.

James Pearce, The Athletic's correspondent at Anfield, took to X on July 4 to dispel the exit rumours entirely. "Virgil van Dijk is going nowhere," Pearce stated unequivocally. "The LFC captain currently on holiday and then back for pre-season. New head coach Andoni Iraola counting on him for 2026/27 and suggestions that LFC would even consider any offers for the talismanic defender are wide of the mark."

The message from the Merseyside club's new manager is unmistakable: Van Dijk remains a cornerstone of his plans moving forward.

The same cannot necessarily be said for all Liverpool's squad members, however. Cody Gakpo, the Dutchman who impressed for his country in Qatar, has attracted attention from across the capital, with Tottenham Hotspur emerging as admirers of the winger.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano addressed the situation during a YouTube update, noting that while Spurs hold genuine interest in the player, Liverpool are not currently entertaining the prospect of his exit. "Keep an eye on Tottenham for Cody Gakpo because Tottenham have interest in the player," Romano explained. "Then, I can tell you, that Liverpool, as of today, beginning of July, are not opening the door to an exit."

The door remains firmly closed for now, with Liverpool showing no signs of facilitating discussions between the two clubs. Whether that changes as the window progresses remains to be seen, though Romano stressed that any move would depend entirely on whether Spurs choose to table a formal proposal.

"At the moment, the door is closed from Liverpool, but we have to see later on this summer in case Tottenham really open talks by sending a proposal," Romano continued. "At the moment, it is an interest. If they send a proposal, we have to see what's going to happen there. So, it's a story to keep an eye on eventually. It's not something guaranteed at this stage."