Official: Liverpool beat Man Utd to sign €57m Cody Gakpo from PSV

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

PSV and Liverpool have reached an agreement on the upcoming transfer of Cody Gakpo to England, the Eindhoven club reported on Monday evening via official channels.

The 23-year-old attacker will immediately leave for England where he will undergo the necessary formalities to complete the transfer.

There has been no confirmation of a transfer fee, but it is expected to be in the region of €57 million, including bonus payments. It has been reported Liverpool will pay €42m up front.

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"This is a record transfer for PSV," general manager Marcel Brands confirmed.

Manchester United had been hot favourites to complete a deal for Gakpo, having chased him intently since the summer.

According to previous reports from Eindhovens Dagblad , an interested club would have to meet one important condition of PSV.

The payment term must be short, something that many offers stumble upon. This is important for the Eindhoven club in connection with the current inflation rate of more than ten percent. For example, if the amount is spread over too long a period, its current value will be less.

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Gakpo is a man in form

Liverpool will hope that Gakpo can recreate the type of form that he showed with the Netherlands at the World Cup when he joins the Anfield club, with the Dutch star a breakout performer in the tournament, despite his exploits this season in the Eredivisie being well known.

Gakpo has 13 goals and 17 assists for PSV in all competitions this season, having played in just 24 matches.

Despite these figures, it was his performances in Qatar that hastened a move as he confirmed he can perform to a high standard on a world stage – something that had been lacking when he turned out for PSV in their unsuccessful attempt to reach the Champions League earlier this season.

FootballTransfers has Gakpo’s expected transfer value (ETV) around the €28.5m mark, yet this will rise off the back of his performances with the Netherlands national team.