Liverpool seems to have beaten Manchester United to the race to sign Dutch youngster Coady Gakpo. A statement from PSV on Monday showed that the club had agreed on a deal with Liverpool for the 23-year-old forward.

After scoring three goals in five FIFA World Cup games for the Netherlands at the Qatar 2020 World Cup, Gakpo immediately courted interest from Manchester United, but it seems like Premier League rivals Liverpool have moved the fastest to agree to a deal of around €40M to sign the player who has scored nine goals and made twelve assists for PSV this season in fourteen Eredivisie games.

While the two teams have declined to make public the transfer fee of the deal, the statement released by PSV on Monday stated that the fee is a record one for the Dutch giants.

“PSV and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement on the upcoming transfer of Cody Gakpo. The 23-year-old attacker will immediately leave for England, where he will undergo the necessary formalities to complete the transfer. Both clubs are not making any announcements about the transfer fee. The PSV management completed the transfer on Boxing Day and gave Gakpo permission to travel to England.” The statement read.

Coady Gakpo also replicated the same form for the UEFA Europa League three goals and two assists in five games in the competition.

With the medical expected to be completed in the coming days, Coady Gakpo will join his Netherlands teammates at Anfield Virgil van Dijk.

Meanwhile, Virgil Van Dijk was on target as Liverpool beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Monday in the Premier League. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the first five minutes of the first half, and Virgil van Dijk doubled their advantage just before half-time.

Ollie Watkins pulled one back for Villa just before the hour mark, but Stefan Bajcetic ensured the victory.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu