It was believed that they would make a new bid for the 23-year-old this winter, and rumours surfaced last week that the club had begun negotiations with PSV.
However, in a major setback for United, Liverpool has now agreed to sign the Dutch sensation.
Cody Gakpo will travel to England in order to complete medical tests as new Liverpool player. Contract already agreed and signed. 🔴🩺 #LFC
Gakpo spoke to Virgil van Dijk when the official bid was submitted – and he's now set to be unveiled as new LFC player. pic.twitter.com/Xs8o0CCU0U
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 27, 2022
It is a record transfer for the club, according to Marcel Brands, sports director of PSV. Gakpo stated earlier this year that he wanted to join United last summer. He continued by saying that he would think about moving to Old Trafford in January.
United was thus given the go-ahead to sign him the following month, but Jurgen Klopp’s team took advantage of their unwillingness to submit a formal offer by reaching an early deal.
The Merseyside club has agreed to pay an initial £37 million for the versatile forward, who has racked up an incredible 13 goals and 17 assists for PSV this season. It would be fascinating to see whether the club has other transfer alternatives in place for January, given that United manager Erik ten Hag allegedly intended to deploy him as a striker.
United are most likely searching for a short-term fix this winter, judging by their reluctance to invest in Gakpo. Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix is presently available on loan.
