Cody Gakpo is on Merseyside completing his £37million move to Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven.
The Netherlands forward arrived in England on Tuesday and his medical was scheduled for Wednesday. He is finalising the formalities of the deal and will reportedly sign a six-year contract with the Reds.
Liverpool are expected officially to announce the completion of Gakpo’s signing when the January transfer window opens on Sunday, which would allow him to make his debut at Brentford the following day. PSV announced on Boxing Day they had agreed to sell Gakpo to Liverpool for what they say will be a record transfer for the Dutch club and it is understood his fee could rise to £45million with add-ons.
Liverpool swooped for Gakpo ahead of a host of clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Southampton and Leeds, because they need another attacking option with Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino injured. His signing is seen as a coup for Liverpool and they caught United napping to land him from under the noses of their bitter rivals.
Gakpo, 23, is the rising star of Dutch football and he scored three goals in their run to the World Cup quarter-finals. He also top of the charts in the Eredivisie this season with nine goals and 12 assists.
The Red Devils were believed to be winning the race to sign Gakpo but their interest prompted their arch-rivals to kick into gear. Jurgen Klopp requested Anfield chiefs accelerate their efforts to sign the versatile youngster and Virgil van Dijk helped to convince his compatriot to move to Merseyside.
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The transfer comes as a major blow for United, who are on the on the hunt for a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement after the megastar striker's contract was terminated in November. Ten Hag was keen to bring his fellow Dutchman to Old Trafford and may have to settle for a loan signing in January to fill the void left by Ronaldo.
The United manager was asked about his side's failed pursuit of Gakpo after Tuesday night's resounding 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Ten Hag told Amazon Prime Video : "I don't talk about individual cases. We are looking for a striker, it would be good with so many games coming. We want to stay in all the leagues we are playing in and you need numbers in the squad."
As for Liverpool, they are signing a player who will bring a fresh injection of quality after injury threatened to derail their charge towards Champions League qualification. Jota is expected to be out until February with a serious calf injury, while Diaz could return in March after undergoing surgery on his knee.
