“PSV and LFC have reached an agreement on the proposed transfer of Cody Gakpo.” The statement from Eindhoven, which was broadcast via the club’s official channels late Monday evening, is likely to have caused a moderate earthquake in Manchester. At Old Trafford this Tuesday, the question will probably arise as to how the disaster could have happened.
For a long time, the Red Devils were in pole position in the race for Gakpo. The fact that arch-rivals FC Liverpool are now fixing the transfer of the 23-year-old Dutchman should be a slap in the face for those responsible for United. In Manchester, they were so sure of the attacking player’s commitment that the transfer negotiations with Eindhoven were rather gradual.
Glazers as a brake pad?
Again and again the poker between United and PSV went into the next round. The Eredivisie representative only wanted to let his captain and top scorer go for a record sum. The ‘Daily Mail’ reports that the Glazer family is being blamed in Manchester for the failure. According to the report, new debt is not in the interests of US owners at this time. They want to sell the club for a profit and are looking for investors.
Due to the sales talks in the room, there is a lack of clarity as to what funds are actually available for transfers. In Liverpool, on the other hand, the urgency for a new winter signing grew more and more. In the end, unlike in Manchester, the Klopp club decided to get down to business. As with Luis Díaz at the beginning of the calendar year, the Reds owners opened the box and were awarded the contract for 56 million euros including bonuses.
Klopp in distress
The tree is currently burning on Anfield Road as well as on Old Trafford. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the left winger in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa yesterday. The 29-year-old has played 139 competitive games for the Reds, only playing five of them on the left attacking flank. The fact that his services are only in demand there speaks volumes about the current situation in the offensive line-up.
Both Díaz and Diogo Jota are struggling with injuries. In addition, summer shopping Darwin Núñez has not yet fully warmed to the Premier League. As sixth in the table, the minimum goal of qualifying for the Champions League threatened to become a feat of strength. With Gakpo, who was able to score 30 points in 24 games for PSV this season, Klopp now has the necessary firepower at his disposal.
