Liverpool have agreed to sign PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo. Arsenal led the way to sign the 23-year-old over the summer but couldn't complete a deal and he has since impressed in the Eredevisie and also for his national team.
Gakpo scored three times in Qatar before being knocked out at the hands of eventual winners Argentina on penalties in the quarter finals. Playing as a shadow striker but without a physical presence around him, Gakpo has also come onto the radar of Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag a fan.
With a raft of injuries heading into the January window, Liverpool have now staked their claim to Gakpo. And, PSV have posted an announcement confirming his departure.
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In a statement, the Dutch club said: "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. Both clubs are not making any announcements about the transfer fee. "But this is a record transfer for PSV," said general manager Marcel Brands.
Speaking after his side's 3-1 victory against Aston Villa, Jurgen Klopp pressed that January action could come at Anfield, saying: "We have two long-term injuries up front. Last January, Luis Diaz came in which was very helpful for that part of the season. Doing something similar this time? If it was a positive move, why not?"
Arsenal themselves are looking for a new attacker to bolster their ranks after Gabriel Jesus was ruled out for several months due to his own injury that was picked up playing for Brazil at the World Cup. Their first choice to fill that void and add attacking intent has been Ukrainian star Mykhaylo Mudryk and football.london understands a bid has been lodged for the 21-year-old.
Although PSV preferred to keep their star man until the summer, manager Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted that their resolve will be tested. "If I have the choice, I prefer the summer, but it can also be now, you know there comes a time when you can’t say, 'no'," the former Manchester United striker said.
"It is wonderful how he has showcased himself. I enjoyed watching him [at the World Cup], he deserves this because of how he has behaved, how he has continued to work and perform. I was able to help him from very close by and that makes me proud. I’ll give him his path when it comes."
Liverpool's bid for Gakpo is reportedly around £45million, which comes in at nearly half the price Shakhtar Donetsk are asking for to prize Mudryk away. Both players are having stellar seasons, Gakpo has nine goals and 12 assists in 14 matches in Eredivisie whilst Mudryk has seven goals and six assists in 12 including an extra five contributions in six Champions League games too.
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