Liverpool beat Manchester to snap Cody Gakpo in January record transfer

Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, the Dutch club have announced.

The transfer fee is between £35m and £45m.

A PSV statement on Monday said: “PSV and LFC 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.”

Gakpo’s stock increased at the World Cup with three goals in five appearances before the Netherlands were knocked out at the quarter-final stage on penalties to Argentina.

Manchester United had shown interest in Gakpo in the summer before pursuing a deal for Antony from Ajax.

Before PSV released their statement, it was understood Liverpool were in advanced talks with PSV about the transfer as they looked to bring in another attacking player following long-term injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

The transfer window opens on Sunday January 1 2023 for clubs in England and Scotland and if all the necessary paperwork is completed then Gakpo could be in line for a Liverpool debut on January 2, live on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports vs Brentford.

During the World Cup, the Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal said “Cody Gakpo has everything it takes to become a star” and the forward certainly looks like he is on the fast track to the top of the game after backing up his brilliant Eredivisie form in Qatar.

A goal in each group stage game – one with his head, one with his left foot and one with his right foot – was testament to his rapidly improving play in the final third, appetite for the big stage and versatility. His standout performances for Van Gaal came as a centre forward or No10. At PSV he has shone as a left winger, cutting inside.

Sky Sports