“Van Dijk has told him that he has to go to Anfield”- John Barnes makes transfer claim about 21-year-old Liverpool target

Virgil van Dijk ‘has told’ Manchester United target Jurrien Timber to make Liverpool transfer

Liverpool legend John Barnes claims he has heard that Virgil van Dijk has told Jurrien Timber to make the switch to Anfield amid links to Manchester United.

The former England international told Soccer News, via the Mirror:

“Of course, I know that he played together with Van Dijk in the Dutch national team and according to the latest rumours Van Dijk has told him that he has to go to Anfield. He is a good player and would therefore be a good asset to Liverpool. Virgil is already over 30 and he will not stay with the club forever. So in the long term, it’s not just about coming to the Reds to form a duo with Van Dijk.

The Dutch centre-back apparently played a role in convincing Cody Gakpo to join Liverpool in the January transfer window even though he was linked with a move to Old Trafford. That could be repeated again with Timber.

Liverpool are said to be ‘admirers’ of the 21-year-old centre-back who traveled with and played alongside Van Dijk at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As Barnes said, the former Southampton man isn’t getting any younger.

A smart move?

We can use a young centre-back to be his successor – one who can play and train alongside him during his formative years. Van Dijk is one of the best centre-backs to grace the sport and he will have a lot to teach any young centre-back that comes here.

It’s always an added bonus if we beat Manchester United to the punch. Joel Matip is also in his 30s, just like Van Dijk, and the clock could be ticking on the Cameroonian.

Pretty sure the Netherlands have the best set of defenders of all the national teams present. Core of Timber, van Dijk, Aké with De Ligt if needed. Dumfries is absolute lights out, Frimpong and Malacia there too. Not to forget Blind. Highest club level defenders.

— Xav Salazar (@XavsFutbol) December 3, 2022

Joe Gomez’s flailing form and constant injury problems make him an unreliable option at centre-back in the long run. It would be smart of us to target Jurrien Timber and hopefully, Ajax are open to a deal.

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But it must be remembered that midfielders have to be our priority. Defenders can wait for another six months or a season but we need to add world-class central midfielders in the summer transfer window. There is absolutely no going around that.