Liverpool to sign Cody Gakpo ahead of Manchester United as PSV Eindhoven announce ‘record’ agreement has been reached for Dutch forward

Liverpool will sign Manchester United target Cody Gakpo in January, the Dutchman’s club, PSV Eindhoven, have announced.

Gakpo, who scored three goals in five appearances at the World Cup for the Netherlands, nearly joined Man United in the summer and continued to be heavily linked with the Red Devils since.

But now he’s heading to Anfield with the Dutch outfit announcing they’ve reached an agreement to sell their player to Liverpool.

PSV said in a statement: “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.”

“The PSV management completed the negotiations on Boxing Day and gave Gakpo permission to travel to England.”

The deal, which PSV say is a record transfer for them, will set Liverpool back £37million with a potential extra £13m in add-ons, Fabrizio Romano reports.

It bolsters Jurgen Klopp’s attacking options with Luis Diaz ruled out until March, while Diogo Jota is also injured.

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Diaz will undergo knee surgery after suffered a setback in his rehabilitation to an injury that was sustained in October. Meanwhile, Jota remains out with a calf problem that sidelined him back in October.

Old Trafford had been viewed as the likely destination for Gakpo, who has 13 goals and 17 assists in all competitions for his club this season.

Premier League leaders Arsenal had also been linked with Gakpo with Gabriel Jesus set for a lengthy period out with a knee injury, which he had since had surgery on earlier in December.

PSV had hoping to keep hold of their player until the summer but appeared resigned to losing him in the upcoming window.

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“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’,” PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy 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.”

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