Klopp says Gakpo deal will impact Liverpool transfer moves

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s £40 million ($48 million) swoop for PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo will have an effect on his plans for the January transfer window.

Klopp landed the highly-rated Gakpo during three days of negotiations with the 23-year-old’s representatives over Christmas.

Netherlands international Gakpo impressed at the World Cup in Qatar, prompting Liverpool to make their move before Manchester United could seal a deal for the rising star. 

Another forward was not top of Klopp’s list of priorities, with Liverpool’s midfield still needing reinforcements.

But the Reds boss was keen to keep Gakpo out of United’s hands, even if he might now have less to spend in January. 

“I would say in principle it’s like this for all people in the world: the money you spend has an impact on the money you can spend (in the future),” Klopp told reporters on Thursday.

“We know what we want to do and we will see if we can do it. It’s about money, of course, but it’s more about how it always was, about the right players as we are really happy that we could get Cody.

“He is a young player with a lot of potential. If he would have already been scoring 40 goals in Spain or whatever he would be unaffordable.

“These kind of things, it’s all about timing. That’s why we were really convinced. He could always make the next step and that makes it interesting.”

Gakpo scored in each of the Netherlands group matches at the World Cup and his versatility across the forward line means he fits the Klopp mould of being a multi-functional player.

However, with the window not officially open until Sunday and Liverpool playing Leicester on Friday and Brentford on Monday, Gakpo might have to wait a while for his debut.

“We are obviously very early (in the January market) which is good. There might be a chance for Brentford but not really,” Klopp said.

“January 1 is a Bank Holiday but the papers some other people have to sign would have to be done at 12pm on the second, and I’m not too positive that will happen. We will not rush it anyway. Probably Wolves (in the FA Cup on January 7).

“The position he played most often is obviously the left wing, that is clear, but he can play in different positions. He played for Holland and PSV in different positions, it’s all fine.”