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Virgil van Dijk reveals what he told Florian Wirtz in phone call to seal £116m transfer to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen

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Liverpool

<p>The reigning Premier League champions <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/florian-wirtz-mohamed-salah-ballon-dor-winners-losers-liverpool-record-breaking-transfer-bayer-leverkusen-magician-arne-slot-pep-guardiola/bltbde11274be26be0b" target="_blank">completed a historic deal for British football</a> when prising Wirtz away from Bayer Leverkusen. The talented 22-year-old is, despite his price tag, considered to be another shrewd addition for Arne Slot.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Liverpool <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/bayern-munich-lost-appeal-bundesliga-champions-missed-out-florian-wirtz-liverpool-explained-oliver-kahn/bltf887edb67c37069b" target="_blank">fended off rival interest from the likes of Bayern Munich</a> and Manchester City to land Wirtz, with an <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/florian-wirtz-father-pleasant-arne-slot-liverpool-project-difficult-bayern-munich-move-fell-apart/blt0726f25191366743" target="_blank">ambitious project at Anfield being sold to him</a>. Reds captain Van Dijk formed part of that process, with the Dutch defender helping to get a big-money deal over the line.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Van Dijk has told reporters: "When I joined the club I said: ‘I don’t think there’s a better place to be than Liverpool’. I really feel that way. We had a fantastic season and I feel like this can only become better. When Florian spoke to the club and certain players, I spoke to him as well a little bit, I’m sure he got a feel for it and then he made a decision. Coming here, he can really make a big impact in my opinion. It’s also down to him in terms of showing it every single day. He’s getting there and it’s good to see."</p><p>Van Dijk added when asked what was said during that phone call: "Ah, you want to know that! I spoke to him, when that was is between me and him. But I said to him: ‘Liverpool is the place to be’."</p>

WHAT VAN DIJK SAID

<p>Wirtz forms part of an <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/liverpool-ceo-defends-summer-transfer-splurge-explains-how-reds-spent-nearly-gbp300m/bltc179e850a159ee7e" target="_blank">elaborate summer spending spree from Liverpool</a> that also includes Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike, with Van Dijk going on to say: “"eah, I don’t think it’s been a bad transfer window in terms of the additions that we have made and the money we’ve spent. The club is obviously trying to improve our squad.</p><p>"The Premier League is incredibly strong so it’s only right that we have to improve too. We know we have a very good team but additions are always a plus and I’ve been really impressed with how they have settled in."</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>There is the promise of more movement to come on Merseyside before the next deadline passes, with Liverpool reportedly ready to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/how-liverpool-afford-spending-spree-still-sign-alexander-isak-transfer-window/blt5d1da0ab1db47cdb" target="_blank">rekindle their interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak</a> after seeing him table a transfer request.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Virgil van Dijk reveals what he told Florian Wirtz in phone call to seal £116m transfer to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen | Goal.com

Virgil van Dijk has revealed what he told Florian Wirtz to help seal a record-breaking £116m ($156m) transfer to Liverpool for the German playmaker.

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