Liverpool's jaw-dropping swoop for Cody Gakpo was a Boxing Day bombshell in the world of football transfers.
Heavily-linked with a move to Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window, the PSV Eindhoven star is Merseyside-bound after Anfield chiefs worked swiftly over the festive period to secure his sought-after signature. Fans were stunned by the rapid turn of events but perhaps would've been more prepared had they listened closely to Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk.
Two figures who were influential in Liverpool's decision to pursue Gakpo, having struck a deal worth a total of €51million (£45m), Klopp and Van Dijk hinted towards the Dutch forward's imminent arrival either side of their hard-fought 3-1 win away to Aston Villa on Monday.
Ahead of the Premier League match, Klopp revealed that the Reds were ready to pull off another "very positive" deal next month - not unlike how they came from nowhere to snap up Luis Diaz for £50million in January of this year.
"Last season, we had Luis Diaz come in, which was very helpful for that part of the season, everybody would see that the same way," the Liverpool manager - who Mirror Football understands instigated Gakpo's transfer - explained in his pre-match press conference. "But doing something again that is very positive - why not?"
Following the victory, Van Dijk opened his arms to new signings at Anfield, seemingly knowing full well that one was about to walk through the door. "Hopefully, the injured players can come back soon and 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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The Reds centre-back just spent the best part of a month as Gakpo's teammate for Netherlands during World Cup, and it was in Qatar where he convinced the 23-year-old to join him on Merseyside.
Within three hours of the Dutchman's comments at Villa Park, Gakpo was confirmed to be heading to Liverpool for a medical. Van Dijk certainly thinks his compatriot has what it takes to star for the Reds, having scored a sensational 18 goals for club and country so far this season, as well as registering 18 assists.
"I definitely think he has that next step in him. I feel like it could happen, whether that is in the winter or the summer or next year, time will tell," the Liverpool defender recently said of Gakpo while on international duty. "He is a great boy who works hard, very talented and there is more in him. We are so pleased he is doing so well for us. Long may it continue."
