Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal for PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo ahead of the January transfer window.
Reports in the past week had linked the Dutch forward to a move to Manchester United and the hope was the deal would be concluded swiftly. Erik ten Hag and the PSV Eindhoven star shared the same agency and Man United had even spoken to the forward during the past summer transfer window, before signing Antony from Ajax.
But in a sudden twist, reliable Athletic journalist David Ornstein reports that Liverpool have beaten Manchester United in the race to sign Cody Gakpo after agreeing a deal with PSV. The fee of the deal is around £37 million and that Liverpool and PSV are close to finalising his arrival in the January transfer window.
Gakpo, 23, was one of the breakout stars of the recently concluded World Cup in Qatar, scoring three goals for the Netherlands before their quarter-final elimination at the hands of eventual champions Argentina. Prior to his World Cup exploits, the forward lit up the Eredivisie with nine goals and 12 assists in 14 appearances this season.
With the signing of Cody Gakpo all but wrapped up, let us take a look at the potential Liverpool XI with their imminent new signing in the side.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup with Cody Gakpo (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Arguably Liverpool’s player of the season so far, Alisson Becker is an undisputed starter in goal.
Defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson may not have been at their scintillating best this season but they still remain top-class players at full-back. Similarly, Virgil van Dijk is yet to hit his peak and deliver the kind of performances he is basically known for, but he is Liverpool’s defensive lynchpin and is an easy pick to start.
Ibrahima Konate’s season has been ravaged by injury, but his performances for France at the World Cup showed how good he is and can be as time goes on. The Frenchman should partner Van Dijk in central defence once he returns from his small vacation.
Midfield
Another player who hasn’t hit the heights of the last few seasons, yet Fabinho remains the best in his position at Liverpool. He will hold the midfield, allowing Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson to combine with the forwards and full-backs and create openings in the final third.
Attack
Luis Diaz is facing an extended period on the sideline after suffering a setback to his recovery from a knee injury during a midseason training break in Dubai and, with Diogo Jota (calf) injured as well, the Reds have accelerated their attempts to reinforce their attack by moving for Cody Gakpo.
Cody Gakpo has been in red-hot form for PSV this season, and his exploits at the World Cup were too good to ignore for Liverpool. He certainly eases Jurgen Klopp’s problems and will breathe new life into his attack. The Dutchman is expected to start on the left flank, with Mohamed Salah a shoo-in on the right.
Despite frustrations in front of goal, as witnessed recently against Man City and Aston Villa, Darwin Nunez should lead the Liverpool attack for the foreseeable future.