Liverpool told they have signed ‘a diamond’ as they look to follow up Gakpo swoop with €20m bid

Liverpool have signed “a diamond” in the form of Netherlands international Cody Gakpo, according to AZ Alkmaar manager Pascal Jansen.

The Reds confirmed on Wednesday that they had completed a deal to bring Gakpo to Anfield from PSV Eindhoven, subject to him being granted a work permit.

Gakpo has been in sensational form for PSV over the past couple of seasons and the 23-year-old started off this campaign in the Eredivisie with nine goals and 12 assists in 14 matches.

His brilliant form continued into the World Cup, where Gakpo scored three goals in his five appearances at the tournament in Qatar.

And Jansen, who knows Gakpo from his time working in the Netherlands, thinks Liverpool have hit the jackpot and reckons “he will amaze everyone”.

“Gakpo is a diamond,” Jansen told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I met him in the PSV Under-15s and already in the Academy he shone with his immense quality. At only 23 years old he was one of the stars of the Dutch league and in Qatar, with the national team, he was outstanding.

“At Klopp’s Liverpool he will amaze everyone: he can become a spectacular striker.”

With the rumoured transfer fee for Gakpo around an initial £37m, former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson thinks Liverpool have got a bargain.

Robinson told Football Insider: “It’s a massive signing, especially when you consider the price. Liverpool have got a bargain when you compare it to other transfers. It is very good business.

“Look at his age, experience and ability. This is a player who will fit in very well at Liverpool.

“He has come in at a good time because there will be game time for him. He will not have to wait or battle it out because of the injuries. I think the injuries this year have forced their hand a little bit in all honesty.

“It is a real statement signing for me. Gakpo and [Mohammed] Kudus were the two young players who stood out at the World Cup for me. I’m sure Jurgen Klopp is over the moon.”

And now Liverpool could be set to follow up the signing of Gakpo by making a move for Chicago Fire youngster Jhon Duran, according to Italian journalist Raffaele Amato.

The Reds are understood to be ‘making concrete moves’ for the 19-year-old but their offer for the winger is currently ‘lower than Benfica’s’.

Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire are ‘aiming to collect €20m’ for Duran, who already has three caps for Colombia, and now Liverpool are weighing up whether they will meet Chicago’s asking price.

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