Liverpool's capture of Cody Gakpo has been hailed as 'great business all-round' by Craig Burley, who is stunned by the transfer fee.
World Cup star Gakpo will join the Reds next month on a five-and-a-half-year deal from PSV Eindhoven, increasing Jurgen Klopp's attacking options in the absence of injured pair Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
The versatile Gakpo can play on the left or centrally and has nine goals to his name in 14 Eredivisie appearances so far this season. The 23-year-old's stock was expected to rise considerably following a successful individual performance at the World Cup that saw him score in all three group stage matches for Holland. Reports suggest Gakpo will cost an initial £37m - and former Scotland international Burley thinks the Reds have got themselves a steal.
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Speaking to ESPN, he said: “I look at this player and I think it’s one of the great bits of business, I really do. I keep looking at the fee. I keep looking at the fee and thinking, ‘no, this is not 2022, this is 2012, 2010 or 2009’. The guy is 23, when I look at him as a player and the left-hand side is his best position, but I look at this guy, who for me could play in several positions if need be and could adapt.
“He’s got the physical attributes, and yes, he will have to step those up. And it will be a step up for him. We know he can score goals. We know he has those attributes I talked about. We know he is flexible. And £37m? I mean, you go to the Championship and you get somebody who has had a one-season wonder and you are going to be paying £25m, £35m or £40m-plus for somebody.
"If they were bringing him in at £80m or £90m, then you would be like ‘oooh’. This is a terrific piece of business from Liverpool and I think it’s a great move for the player as well. Going into that club, the way they play, with this manager, it’s great business all-round.”
The official fee is undisclosed but the ECHO understands Gakpo will cost the Reds around £40m.
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