Virgil van Dijk has sent a heartfelt message to Liverpool fans - and one that shows Florian Wirtz exactly what he’ll be playing for at Anfield.
Wirtz is set to become Van Dijk’s teammate this summer after an agreement was reached with Bayer Leverkusen for what could prove to be a Premier League record transfer fee. Having beaten Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to his signature, it is quite the coup for Liverpool.
The German international is just one of the additions being made in what is set to be a busy window for the Reds. Already, Jeremie Frimpong and young goalkeeper Armin Pecsi have made the move to Merseyside, while Milos Kerkez looks set to be targeted next.
Wirtz will of course be joining a team looking to defend its Premier League crown next season, having once again drawn level with its biggest rival Manchester United on 20 league titles.
And having captained Liverpool to that triumph, Van Dijk posted a poignant message on his Instagram for the club’s supporters, giving Wirtz a glimpse at just what it means to play for the Reds.
“Almost forgot that this was the whole point,” Van Dijk wrote along with a series of pictures of him celebrating Liverpool’s title.
“It’s an absolute privilege to play for you Reds! Thanks to each one of you that helped making this season so special.”
It looks as though it will be just a matter of time before Wirtz’s move to Liverpool is confirmed after an agreement was reached with Leverkusen.
The deal will be worth a guaranteed $136 million (£100 million) with a further $22 million (£16 million) in add-ons after negotiations with the Bundesliga side came to a conclusion. Wirtz is expected to pen a long-term contract at Anfield when he is officially unveiled.
"For me, he’s in the position, he’s probably the best player in Europe at the moment,” former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann said of Wirtz.
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“And he played in a team that finished, well, they were 16th or 17th when [Xabi] Alonso took over. So they end up winning the league the season after, this year they finished second.
“And part of the reason or the biggest reason is Florian Wirtz. And if he comes to a team, which is even better than Leverkusen, I think it could be a perfect match. And I don’t think it will take too long, if he does come here, which I think he will, before the punters love him here.
“And the thing, why I think he will be a success, is that he can look after himself. He’s like a street kid. So he won’t shirk a challenge.
"He will be looked after by his teammates, I’m pretty sure, because he will be one of the main players next season. But if he needs to, he can look after himself. And he won’t be worried, he won’t be afraid of any physical presence shown against him.”