Cody Gakpo will join Liverpool instead of Manchester United.
News broke last night that bitter rivals United had joined the race for Gakpo. Shortly after that revelation, it was reported that the Merseyside club had agreed a fee with PSV Eindhoven for the transfer of Gakpo.
The Dutchman at Anfield is expected to complete his medical imminently before signing a six-year contract with Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Liverpool have had a successful history of dazzling their rivals when it comes to transfers recently. The Gakpo deal was reminiscent of what the Reds accomplished when they kidnapped Tottenham in the hunt for Luis Diaz last January.
Simon Mullock and Nathan Ridley of The Mirror report that United found out ahead of time about Gakpo’s transfer to Liverpool.
Once United found out, they decided not to rival Liverpool over the signing of Gakpo.
The Mirror writes: “Jurgen Klopp and company have surpassed United’s efforts and are close to signing the coveted Dutch striker. Gakpo, 23, is now on his way to Merseyside and ready to complete a medical before officially becoming a Liverpool player.
“The deal is understood to have cost a total of €51m (£45m) and although United had been negotiating around that figure, Anfield bosses were willing to pay more than the fee upfront in a lump sum worth £37 million, an offer he attracted. to PSV”.
“When officials at Old Trafford, who were interested in an alternative payment structure, heard of Liverpool’s progress, they decided not to counter-offer and concede defeat.”
This transfer coup comes after a recent report indicated that United had opened talks with PSV over a transfer for Gakpo.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk played a crucial role in convincing Gakpo to move to the Premier League with Liverpool.
The two were together for weeks during the World Cup before the Netherlands were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the tournament by Argentina.
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