Liverpool 's typically decisive transfer business has seen them gazump Manchester United and all but win the race for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.
In a move not unlike how the Reds pipped Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Luis Diaz in January of this year, Jurgen Klopp and Co have trumped United's efforts and are close signing the sought-after Dutch forward. Gakpo, 23, is now en route to Merseyside and set to complete a medical before officially becoming a Liverpool player.
The deal is understood to cost a total of €51million (£45m) and while United had been negotiating around that figure, Anfield chiefs were willing to pay more of the fee up front in a lump sum worth £37m, an offer which appealed to PSV. When officials at Old Trafford - who were keen on an alternative payment structure - learned of Liverpool's progress, they decided not to make a counter-offer and admit defeat.
United's decision comes in spite of manager Erik ten Hag making Gakpo his priority target ahead of the January transfer window. Over the summer, the Dutch manager opted against following through on interest in the Netherlands international in favour of signing Brazilian winger Antony from his former club, Ajax. Although talks between the relevant parties and United had opened this time around, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp instigated a swoop for Gakpo and advanced Liverpool's pursuit beyond that of United's.
And he was joined by Reds defender Virgil van Dijk, who recently spent nearly a month as the PSV academy graduate's team-mate for Holland during the World Cup. As Gakpo scored three goals in five games, Van Dijk convinced him to make the switch to Merseyside which played a key role in his decision.
It seems that the Liverpool centre-back knew a thing or two about the transfer when he spoke after the Reds' 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day. "Hopefully we can welcome some new players at our football club," Van Dijk told Viaplay post-match. "We will see. I think that quality is always welcome at Liverpool."
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Klopp himself even dropped a hint towards a major January deal in his pre-match press conference, referencing how much of a "very helpful" impact Diaz made after arriving from Porto in a £50m deal earlier this year.
"Last season we had Luis Diaz come in (January) which was very helpful for that part of the season, everybody would see that the same way," the Reds boss explained. "But doing something again that is very positive - why not?"
Should Gakpo complete his medical within the next few days, he'll officially join Liverpool on January 1 when the window opens. United, meanwhile, will be working on Plan B. Ten Hag is said to be a fan of Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, while a half-season loan deal for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has been mooted.
