PSV Eindhoven sporting director Marcel Brands has already admitted Liverpool would be a "good partner" for Cody Gakpo as the PSV Eindhoven and Holland star edges closer to a move to Anfield.
Following long-term injuries sustained to both Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, the ECHO reported earlier this evening that Liverpool were in advanced talks to sign the 23-year-old. And PSV have since confirmed they have agreed a deal with the Reds for Gakpo. The Dutch club's statement includes a quote from their director of football Marcel Brands, who said it "is a record transfer for PSV".
Brands, who held a similar position at Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton before his departure from Goodison Park last December, will likely be pleased. Gakpo was a target for Manchester United, Leeds United and Southampton during the summer but Brands admitted the Reds would be an ideal destination for the player who would go on to score three goals in five games at the World Cup in Qatar.
READ MORE: PSV Eindhoven confirm 'club record' Cody Gakpo transfer agreement with Liverpool
READ MORE: Cody Gakpo close to Liverpool transfer after advanced negotiations with PSV
"Liverpool is a club that is always very focused,” Brands told ESPN NL . “Sometimes they get players for the next season in November.
"Would they be a good partner to send Gakpo in the summer? Yes, that's right.”
Brands added at the time: "Leeds United offered €30m with €11m as a bonus. Six of them were to be paid if Leeds reached the Champions League. People said and wrote a lot about this, but no-one within the organisation of PSV wanted to accept this.
"If United offered the money that we wanted to have for Cody, then we would’ve sold him. You can not stop him then. With bonuses, we wanted to go up until €50m."
"An agreement has been made with Cody and his management, we cannot ignore that.
“It is not a clause, but if the right club offers the right amount, then it is an option. Whether we already have an adequate replacement in mind? Of course there are always lists of names that we look at."
The ECHO understands the initial fee Liverpool pay will be around the £37m figure. But add-ons lwill ikely to take the deal well past the £40m mark.
READ NEXT:
- Virgil van Dijk sent brutal Cody Gakpo message to Man United before Liverpool launched transfer bid
Virgil van Dijk hoping for new January signings at Liverpool
Liverpool player ratings as Darwin Nunez chaotic but three shine in win vs Aston Villa
Trent Alexander-Arnold sends Liverpool message in less than five minutes against Aston Villa
