Liverpool have emerged as victorious to the signing of the Netherlands’ World Cup hero Cody Gakpo, as confirmed by his club employers PSV Eindhoven. The news came out of the blue since Manchester United were thought to be the frontrunners to the signing of the young attacker after a deal was almost struck last summer and the player too was keen to move to Old Trafford.
But their bitter rivals Liverpool were once again lightening fast to beat any competitor across Europe to acquire the services of Cody Gakpo, whose market value went sky-high after his brilliant display at the World Cup in Qatar for the Netherlands. And it is Liverpool who have put the money on the table, as PSV have released an official statement to confirm their prized asset’s sale, also highlighting that this is the club’s record sale till now.
Liverpool’s £50 million package accepted for Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo had landed himself on the radars of Europe’s elite clubs last summer, after a breakthrough 21/22 season where he amassed 21 goals and 15 assists in 41 games in all competitions for PSV. The likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leeds United were all interested, with the Lilywhites’ manager Jesse Marsch confirming that the winger’s move to Elland Road was 99.99% done.
However, Gakpo stayed at PSV in the summer, with an eye on the World Cup with the Netherlands. And his patience paid-off, as he had a scintillating debut World Cup tournament, announcing his talent to the world in some fashion by netting 3 goals in 5 games at the tournament. While others revisited their options, Liverpool it seems made the first move and swopped in for the 23-year-old. In their official statement, PSV have revealed:
“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.”
While the club have refrained from disclosing the fee, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool will pay a transfer fee of £37 million up front, and another £13 million in add-ons, making it a package of £50 million and tie the winger to a six-year deal at Anfield. Cody Gakpo is a shot in the arm for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool who is plagued with injuries.
The club has lost two of their prolific attackers, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota to long term injuries and it is still uncertain they will once again feature this season. And with their record signing Darwin Nunez too firing blanks more frequently, Liverpool have received a timely ammunition of Gakpo. The incoming winger has continued his form from last season, netting a brilliant 17 goals and providing a stunning 18 assists in 31 games for both club and country.