Liverpool are in advanced talks with PSV Eindhoven to sign Cody Gakpo.
The Reds are keen to bolster their attacking options in the January window with Jurgen Klopp set to be without Luis Diaz until March and Diogo Jota until February and Gakpo is the primary target.
Talks between Liverpool and PSV have reached an advanced stage, having significantly stepped up in recent days. The ECHO understands the initial fee will be around the £37m figure with add-ons likely to take the deal well past the £40m mark.
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Liverpool accelerated their interest following the injury to Diaz earlier this month. The Colombia winger had been scheduled to return to action following the World Cup but was injured in a training session in Dubai and was forced to fly back to Merseyside to undergo knee surgery as a result.
Diaz is not expected to be fit until March and with Jota also sidelined with a long-term calf issue, the Reds have brought forward their attempts to bring Gakpo to the club in the New Year rather than waiting for the summer like initially planned.
The admiration of other clubs is also understood to have expedited Liverpool's interest, with Manchester United reportedly keen on the Netherlands international, who scored in all three group games at the World Cup.
Speaking after the 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day, Virgil van Dijk appeared to hint at the arrival of new players in the transfer window, saying: "Hopefully the injured players can come back soon, and hopefully we can welcome some new players at our football club. We will see. I think that quality is always welcome at Liverpool."
