Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Fabrizio Romano claims Liverpool are intensfying efforts for £50m Man Utd target as double Reds link is confirmed

Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool seen during a training session before the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Paris

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool are reportedly ready to step up their interest in a prized forward despite claims Manchester United are favourites to secure his signature in a potential £50m deal.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is preparing for what is likely a period of change at Anfield. Five of their players are eligible for free transfers at the end of the season, leaving the Reds seeking with some key decisions to make. And those players are eligible to negotiate pre-contract deals overseas in just 32 days time when the January transfer window opens for business.

Top of Klopp’s wanted list is a new midfielder, with Jude Bellingham the No 1 target. The likely departures of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and possibly James Milner will leave the Reds light in midfield. To that end, the Merseysiders have their eyes on a second midfield addition.

And a Moroccan star, who nullified Kevin De Bruyne at the World Cup, is reportedly subject of a mammoth Reds offer.

However, Klopp always has eyes on boosting his forward line. With Roberto Firmino one of those out of contract, the Liverpool manager is keeping an eye on the market for possible additions.

And while he would like Firmino to commit to a new deal, at 31 he may only have a couple of years left at the top.

As such, the Reds have been credited with a passing interest in PSV forward Cody Gakpo.

The Netherlands attacker is enjoying a stellar World Cup, having already netted three times. His side take on the United States on Saturday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Cody Gakpo likely to make January transfer to Premier League

Beyond that, Gakpo is enjoying a sensational season at club level. He already has 29 goal contributions to his name this season, including 15 strikes and 14 assists. And last season he weighed in with 21 goals and 15 assists on his way to winning the Eredivisie Player of the Year.

As a result, Gakpo finds himself in incredibly high demand. His form for PSV attracted Manchester United over the summer, only for the Red Devils to shelve their interest.

Their interest though has only intensified in the intervening months and talk of a fresh January approach is gathering pace.

However, trusted reporter Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool are also becoming more and more attracted to Gakpo.

Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano claims Eindhoven are looking for a fee of £43m, together with add-ons. That is likely to push the deal into the £50m barrier.

Liverpool Kudus interest also confirmed

He suggests Liverpool are ready to make their move with their scouts keeping a keen eye on him in Qatar. Furthermore, he’s also confirmed reports that another Eredivisie star – Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus – is also on their radar.

“Liverpool have sent their scouts to PSV games to monitor Gakpo, they did the same with Kudus for example.

“It’s a normal kind of interest but there is still no meeting scheduled between agents and Liverpool as of today. For sure, with this kind of super performances, interest is growing and Man Utd remain in the race.”

Were Liverpool to win the transfer race for Gakpo, it would represent an enormous ‘W’ for Klopp. Not only would the Dutchman increase their attacking options – Gakpo can play across the attack – it would also deny Man Utd a very prominent transfer target.

Wherever he ends up, though, Gakpo, looks well equipped to shine in the Premier League.

READ MORETen World Cup players that could move to the Premier League in the January transfer window