Liverpool and Manchester United will go head-to-head with each other in the race to sign Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo.
That’s according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, who was asked by Dutch outlet Soccer News where Gakpo would fit best after leaving PSV Eindhoven.
“At Manchester United or Liverpool,” he responded. “He fits perfectly with Klopp’s style of play at Liverpool. But perhaps even better at Manchester United, now that they no longer have access to Cristiano Ronaldo. There is room for a player like him and for Gakpo this is the right time to move to the Premier League.
“Only Premier League clubs can pay him, because PSV asks a lot of money for him. So I think it will be a battle between Manchester United and Liverpool. Maybe in January, but I don’t really think so. I expect that we will have to deal with a ‘different’ market in January.
“It will probably be the summer, but it is quite possible that Manchester United are already starting the negotiations, because they have to replace Ronaldo.”
Although it sounds like United perhaps have a slight lead, Liverpool appear to be well in the race.
All quiet on the Gakpo front
Rumours surrounding Gakpo came to a head as he impressed during the World Cup recently. Having already been on the radar of top clubs around Europe, his displays in Qatar truly announced him as a star in the making.
Although he ultimately wasn’t able to add to his three goals in the Group Stage, the 23-year-old gave a great account of himself.
Since the Netherlands bowed out to Argentina last week, things have gone a little quiet. “Well, it’s only been a week!” I hear you cry, and this is true. But in the frantic nature of the football transfer market, a week is a long old time. To hear radio silence after such a cacophony of noise is a little strange.
Things had been expected to progress quickly after the Dutch’s World Cup exit but they haven’t been as quick as maybe first thought.
And if Di Marzio is correct, we may not hear anything for a little while yet. It has been claimed that PSV would be open to a January move for Gakpo, who Glen Johnson recently called ‘incredible,’ but perhaps the summer was always more likely.
As the journalist points out, United’s need for Gakpo may currently be greater than Liverpool’s. But with Luis Diaz now back on the treatment table, the Dutchman’s arrival would be very welcome, whenever it occurs.
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