Cody Gakpo: Liverpool set to beat Manchester United to transfer of World Cup star

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The Independent

·26 December 2022

Cody Gakpo: Liverpool set to beat Manchester United to transfer of World Cup star

Liverpool are set to beat Manchester United to the signing of Netherlands international Cody Gakpo, one of the stars of the World Cup, after his club PSV confirmed that an agreement had been reached for a January transfer.

PSV announced on Monday night that Gakpo has been given permission to travel to England for a medical. The fee, which PSV confirmed would be a record for the Dutch club, is reportedly between €40m to €50m.

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Manchester United were in talks to sign Gakpo from PSV last summer and were set to revive their interest in the 23-year-old following his eye-catching performances in Qatar this past month, where he scored three goals in five appearances as the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals.

Liverpool have instead acted swiftly to sign the versatile attacker, who has scored 12 goals and made 15 assists for PSV this season. Gakpo had revealed he was interested in moving to Old Trafford when talks between Manchester United and PSV were ongoing last summer, but he is said to have picked Liverpool following their interest.

A statement from PSV said:”PSV and Liverpool. 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.”

PSV general manager Marcel Brands confirmed Gakpo’s anticipated transfer would be a “record” for the Eredivisie club. Hirving Lozano’s move to Napoli in 2019 for a reported €42m was the previous highest sale by the Dutch outfit.

Liverpool are in a fight to make the Premier League’s top four this season and manager Jurgen Klopp did not rule out that the club would be active in the January market to help their injury-depleted squad.

Luis Diaz, who made an impact following his transfer from Porto last January, is set to be sidelined for a further few weeks while Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino have had fitness issues this season.