Cody Gakpo agrees to join Liverpool for a fee of 35-45 million pounds. They offered the Dutch forward a deal till 2028.
Liverpool had no intentions to sign a striker this January, but injuries in the squad and interest from rivals led to securing the signature of the Dutchman.
Cody Gakpo: The Dutch Starlet
Cody Gakpo is a professional footballer who plays for the Netherlands National team and the Dutch club Philips Sport Vereniging, Eindhoven (PSV, Eindhoven). He is just 23 years old. However, at this young age, he has lifted eyelids around the football world.
At the World Cup in Qatar, we witnessed him scoring 3 goals in 5 appearances for the Netherlands. His style and influence were an enormous threat to defenders in Doha. Since his exemplary performance, he has gained interest from all over the globe.
Enormous clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal had shown interest in securing him to their squad. However, he sided with the Merseyside club, Liverpool.
The Dutchman played as a striker for his national team, though he is a winger for his club. With his abilities, he can fit into any front three roles, as experts see it.
Why Liverpool?
Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch World Cup Captain, is one of the main influencers for Cody Gakpo to join Liverpool. Van Dijk plays as a center-back for the Netherlands and Liverpool football club. At present, he is one of the best players in his position.
The young Dutchman made known that the two spoke a lot over the phone these few days. Van Dijk told Gakpo that it was the right move for him to switch to Liverpool. The Dutch Captain assured he can develop and improve as a player in Liverpool. Liverpool is a massive club, and it is like family, said Van Dijk, and Gakpo, being a family guy, agreed to join.
Gakpo also expressed Van Dijk will help him adjust to the new club.
Transfers such as these are a common phenomenon, where a native player influences his countryman to join them. Here, we notice a Dutchman luring another into his squad.
The Tussle of the Giants
Football, like any other sport, is also a competition among elite teams. Transfer windows are times when teams get to strengthen their squads, and no teams ignore this advantage.
From national teammates to close friends of players, or even family members or old coaches, approach players to sign them to a good club.
With Gakpo, Manchester United, and other huge clubs like Arsenal had an interest in securing his signature. However, the tussle ended with the influence of a national teammate.
Liverpool stealing Cody Gakpo from under the skin of these clubs is also evidence of the rivalry that prevails in the unseen. Often clubs also buy off their rival investments to frustrate them. Liverpool’s investment worked both ways.
Jurgen Klopp on Securing Gakpo
Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, holds the opinion that the young starlet can become even better. This is because of his age, and also his experience as a player. He has been to exposed to the World cup and the Dutch domestic league.
He is the Captain of PSV and he was also Player of the Year for Holland in the last season.
Jurgen Klopp expressed his excitement to work with him because he brings young age and versatility.
Official Transfer
Cody Gakpo will officially become a Liverpool player when the transfer window opens on New Year’s Day. Till then, the transfer process for his joining Liverpool will take place.
We might see him make his debut against Brentford on 2 January.
