Liverpool have beaten bitter rivals Manchester United to the signature of PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo.
The 23-year-old striker, who had an impressive World Cup in Qatar, was widely expected to sign for Manchester United in January, but why United dithered, Liverpool moved and signed the winger for a transfer fee believed to be in the range of 40m-50m euros
Liverpool have made a move with forwards Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
“The PSV management completed the negotiations on Boxing Day and gave Gakpo permission to travel to England,” said a statement from the Eredivisie side.
Gakpo has been in fine form this season, scoring nine goals and providing 12 assists in 14 league games for PSV. He has also managed three goals and registered two assists in five Europa League outings.
At the World Cup, he scored in each of his country’s group games against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar.
Liverpool beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Monday as they returned to Premier League action; manager Jurgen Klopp’s side are sixth in the top flight.
Reds defender Virgil van Dijk, an international team-mate, spoke glowingly about the winger during the World Cup.
“Hopefully Cody can go to the moon and back,” said Van Dijk during the tournament in Qatar. “He is a very good player and a good boy too.
“What we see in training is what you see on the pitch. There is still so much potential and I hope he can carry on showing it for us. We are very happy with him.”
With the arrival of Gakpo, who plays on the left, does that mean that Jurgen Klopp has already given up on Darwin Núñez who has endured a difficult six months at Anfield.
