Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal may well have played a key role in Cody Gakpo's imminent Liverpool arrival.
Whilst several European clubs had been linked with a move for the Dutch sensation, news broke last night, following the Reds' 3-1 Boxing Day win at Aston Villa, that Liverpool is set to be Gakpo's eventual destination in January.
The ECHO understands that talks between Liverpool and PSV have reached an advanced stage, having significantly stepped up in recent days. The initial fee will stand around the £37m figure with add-ons likely to take the deal well past the £40m mark.
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Having provided 36 direct goal contributions across the 2021/2022 season, Gakpo took such form into the Netherlands' FIFA World Cup campaign. He netted three goals in as many Group A matches as van Gaal's side progressed into the quarter-finals.
Back in September though, not long after the 23-year-old had been the subject of strong links to United and a deadline day chase between Leeds United and Southampton, Gakpo revealed that he opted against pursuing a move once he had consulted with his then-national team boss.
He told PSV's official website: "I asked the national coach [Louis van Gaal] for advice. He thought I should follow my gut feeling, but also said that a transfer in a World Cup year would not really be ideal, also because of adjustment. I agreed with him.
"It was also a bit last-minute. I thought I would go to Manchester and then you may have to choose another club in a week. That's not nice for me and PSV, it feels a bit rushed. Ultimately, the choice fell on PSV."
Van Gaal enjoyed a two-year spell in the Old Trafford hot-seat, gaining UEFA Champions League qualification in 2015 before overseeing an FA Cup triumph the next term. Nevertheless, he also advised Ajax defender Jurrien Timber not to join the club and reunite with Erik ten Hag.
Fast forward several months from Van Gaal's words of wisdom in summer, and the Reds have acted swiftly to push through a deal for Gakpo - which may not go down well at Old Trafford.
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