Liverpool have twice held talks with £42million-rated Cody Gakpo over an Anfield switch and has discussed his future in an interview with De Telegraaf.
The 6ft2 forward has been excellent this season for PSV and has attracted plenty of attention with displays in the Eredivisie and the Europa League.
In all competitions, he has scored 21 goals and provided 15 assists and is a constant driving force for his side, dragging them forward in attack.
Much like Luis Diaz, he never seems to tire and always seems to believe there is an avenue in attack that he can exploit which is vital for a side like Liverpool that needs to win every game in their goal of winning the quadruple.
Liverpool and Manchester City reportedly had conversations with the player in January, holding ‘exploratory talks’ with Voetbal International reporting at the time that there is “a good chance” he will leave the club this summer.
It was also reported in January by Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink that it would cost €29.9million (£25m) to poach him from PSV.
The Daily Mail now suggests it will cost between £30m and£40m to sign him.
Voetbal International reported again in April that talks had again been held over a move to sign Gakpo, with his agents discussing a move to Merseyside with a Liverpool delegate.
City were said to be interested but Erling Haaland’s move to the Eithad may have ended that while Arsenal and Bayern Munich were said to be keen on the Dutchman as well.
The player has now spoken on what a move could mean for him this summer, saying he “will now” discuss the options available to him as well as what “can happen this summer”.
Gakpo told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf: “Anything can happen this summer. I will now calmly compare all the options and see what is best for me. Staying another year is also an option.
“It would be a shame if I went somewhere where I wouldn’t get a [game] at all and I could miss the World Cup. I’ll keep that in mind.”
If Liverpool are interested in him, these comments could be an indirect message to them as he is keen to play regularly enough to be called up to the Netherlands’ World Cup squad.
With competition for a starting role fierce at Anfield, signing for Jurgen Klopp’s side might be a major step forward in his career but could harm his chances of playing regularly.
We’ve seen Ibrahima Konate, who has yet to lose a game for the Reds in 27 appearances, not be called up to France’s latest international squad despite William Saliba and Raphael Varane getting a call.
At least Saliba has played 51 times for Marseille on loan from Arsenal but Varane, who has been injured four times this season, missing a total of 19 games, should not be called up ahead of Konate.
Based on this, Gakpo’s concerns are very understandable as a place in Holland’s World Cup squad is clearly a priority for him this year.
