Cody Gakpo is set to become a Liverpool player.
Luis Diaz’s injury coupled with Manchester United’s firm interest in Gakpo led to Jurgen Klopp pouncing early to sign him now.
PSV Sporting Director Marcel Brands declined to say what the exact fee will be but he confirmed it was ‘a record transfer‘.
PSV announced the deal on Monday in a statement on the club’s official website: “PSV and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement on the upcoming transfer of Cody Gakpo.
“The 23-year-old attacker will immediately leave for England where he will undergo the necessary formalities to complete the transfer.”
That would suggest that the fee is somewhere close to €50M. PSV sold Hirving Lozano to Napoli for €45M in 2019/2020.
After Luis Diaz’s setback Jurgen Klopp hinted that Liverpool would enter the transfer market “if it was a positive move.”
Gakpo reportedly turned down the opportunity to join fellow Dutchman Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United to join fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.
The 23-year-old cast his profile into the spotlight after an impressive World Cup in Qatar.
The winger will offer Liverpool pace, power, and the ability to finish as the Reds head into the business end of the season.
Gakpo was awarded the Eredivisie Player of the Year after his 21-goal haul in all competitions last season.
Salah, Nunez, and Gakpo are likely to cause defenders sleepless nights. It is a potent trio capable of creating havoc.
Gakpo averaged more shots, goals, shots on target, attacking actions, and successful dribbles amongst all left wingers in Holland this season, according to the football data site comparisonator.
A fee of €50M is likely to leave Jurgen Klopp with the financial power needed to go all out to sign Jude Bellingham in the summer. Klopp is a keen admirer of Bellingham and lauded his World Cup performances this week.
Gakpo is expected to arrive on Merseyside this week.
Edited 28.12.22
