Who is Cody Gakpo? Liverpool linked with move for 22-year old Dutch international winger

Liverpool have been linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo with reports saying that the Anfield club have “opened negotiations” with the 22-year old.

The players is thought to be leaving the Eredivise side in the summer and could be making the move to the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp looks to add more attacking options with one eye on the long term future.

Gakpo has been in impressive form for PSV this season and the Reds could end up facing plenty of competition for the players if he continues to perform to the same standards this year.

Here is everything you need to know about Cody Gakpo and what has been reported about his potential move to Liverpool:

Who is Cody Gakpo?

Cody Gakpo is a 22-year old winger who plays for Eredivise title contenders PSV Eindhoven.

Gakpo has spent his entire career in the city of Eindhoven, coming through as a youth player at FC Eindhoven before being snapped up by PSV at a young age.

Between 2016 and 2019 the winger turned out for reserve side Jong PSV before breking into the first team at The Philips Stadion in the 2018/19 season.

Gakpo has featured in 25 games for PSV this season across all competitions, including Champions League qualifiers and the Europa League, and scored ten goals.

On the international stage, the 22-year old has won four caps for The Netherlands and scored his first senior international goal in their 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Montenegro in September.

What has been reported about Liverpool’s interest in Cody Gakpo?

Metro have reported that Liverpool have “held talks” with PSV Eindhoven about a move for the player this summer.

The report also cites an article from Dutch publication Voetbal International, saying that ‘PSV are aware of the mounting interest in Gakpo and have grown increasingly resigned to losing their prized possession in the summer.’

Gakpo is reportedly expected to extend his current contract by one year until 2026, allowing PSV to hold out for a higher transfer fee this summer.

As well as Liverpool, Manchester City are also said to have held ‘exploratory talks’ with the player.

Meanwhile, Dutch football legend Marco van Basten has commented on the rumours, issuing a warning towards the 22-year old.

The Ajax and AC Milan icon believes it is too early for Gakpo to be making the next step and believes he should remain with PSV beyond the summer.

Dutch publication Voetbal4U reports van Basten as saying: “You have to have a basis to succeed abroad. That is three, four years in the Netherlands

“Then you’re just a bit stronger, a bit better prepared for the higher level abroad – because it all goes much harder and faster. But nowadays, they all want to leave after one year.

“The sooner you leave, the greater the chance of not succeeding. If you don’t succeed in those two, three years, then you go to another club that is less. Then your career is going to look very nasty.

“They are constantly approached by that agent saying: ‘Look, you can earn that there. You can earn that at that club’. It’s far too much about buying those guys off,”