Liverpool are close to sealing their first deal of the January transfer window in Cody Gakpo, according to various reports. The Reds hope to beat Manchester United to the signing.
The comes from The Times and the Athletic. Each claim that Liverpool are now close to signing Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.
The deal would cost around £37m and sees Liverpool sign a primary transfer target of Manchester United. They had been seen as the leaders here but the Reds jump in to sign the player.
Gakpo was a star at the World Cup, thriving for the Netherlands in a centre-forward role. That’s despite never having played the position before.
His arrival would cover the injury Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota, who will both be out for months.
Liverpool near Cody Gakpo transfer
A shock one, this. Liverpool have been linked with Gakpo since April but we didn’t actually think they’d do it. After all, the Reds have plenty of forwards as it is.
But with both Díaz and Jota out, there is a need for a left-winger. Especially if Jurgen Klopp only sees Darwin Nunez as a striker and doesn’t want him playing from the flank.
Gakpo thrives on the left for PSV, generating unbelievable numbers there. He was the Dutch Footballer of the Year last season and his performances actually improved in this campaign.
Though, Louis van Gaal tried him as a False 9 / centre-forward at the World Cup and Gakpo was great. Liverpool will be getting a tremendously versatile player here and one who isn’t even 24.
Let’s look at those numbers, then – nine goals and 12 assists in 14 Eredivisie games this season. £37m for that? It feels like a steal and beating United to his signature only makes it feel better.
What a night this is.
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