PSV Eindhoven have announced an agreement has been reached with Liverpool for the transfer of Cody Gakpo.
There are still six days until the January transfer window officially opens but Liverpool have moved early to secure attacking reinforcements following serious injuries suffered by Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota. The Merseyside outfit have swooped for Gakpo who enjoyed a breakout World Cup with the Netherlands having notched 13 goals and 17 assists for his club so far this season.
Liverpool have come out of nowhere to sign the versatile forward, seemingly leapfrogging Manchester United, who are also in the hunt for a new forward, in the race.
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A statement from PSV released on Boxing Day evening read: "PSV and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement on the proposed transfer of Cody Gakpo. The 23-year-old attacker will leave for England imminently where he will be subjected to the necessary formalities ahead of the completion of 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. The PSV management completed the negotiations on Boxing Day and gave Gakpo permission to travel to England."
Gakpo has been on United's radar for some time and he was considered a possible alternative to Antony in the summer if they were unable to secure Erik ten Hag's top target for the wings. Links to Old Trafford increased again following his performances in Qatar coupled with United's obvious need for a new forward.
Options were already remarkably low before Cristiano Ronaldo's sudden departure and now Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are the only senior strikers at the club. Despite the links with Gakpo, he was unlikely to be the main target to enhance those options as he has only played on the left wing for PSV this season - a position in which United are well stocked.
Ten Hag moved to downplay any links with Gakpo following United's win over Burnley as he answered a question about the attacker by replying: "There were many, many good players at the World Cup."
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