Liverpool free to sign star for £70M – Klopp told target will cost £80m – Gakpo transfer message sent

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Ryan Babel thinks Arsenal would be an ‘incredible’ destination for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.

Gakpo is a man that is catching all the headlines because of his performances this season for the Dutch side – and the fact that he already has 17 assists to his name this campaign along with 13 goals.

His two goals at the World Cup have helped the Dutch head towards that qualification for the knock-out stages and has also caught the attenions of Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp.

Babel  has told The Athletic that he would tell Gakpo to join Liverpool if an offer is on the table – but has admitted that Arsenal would be an ‘incredible’ move for forward though, believing that Mikel Arteta’s project is ideal for a player like Gakpo.

“You see him linked to clubs in England, such as Manchester United,” said Babel.

“Everyone has the right price so let’s see how he develops in the tournament. He has shown enough quality that he is ready for the next step, whether it’s in January or next summer.”

“As a Liverpool fan, I would tell him to go to Liverpool if they make an approach! Arsenal would also be an incredible team for him, with the current manager and the project that they’re building.

“He has to follow his heart,”

Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Leeds United and Southampton and a number of other clubs are also interested in the player – so it wont be a two horse race for the star.

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The World Cup will be over by the start of the January window and if Gakpo keeps on impressing – then it would be a massive shock to NOT SEE an offer made in the January window.

However – we are expecting him to stay until at least the summer

Rice for £70 million – 

West Ham United have slapped a relatively reasonable £70 million asking price for Liverpool target Declan Rice – according to the Telegraph journalist Matt Law.

Over the past few seasons – Rice has developed into one of the very best holing midfielders in the Premier League and is a man that is ready for that next step.

It is no secret that Liverpool are massive fans of the gifted midfielder and are ready to make a move – especially as Jurgen Klopp wants to take his side back to the very top.

The England international is open to leaving the Hammers next summer, and is stalling new contract talks, which could force the Irons to cash in on their prized asset.

Rice has become a midfield lynchpin for West Ham for a number of years, and the East Londoners are not expected to consider offers below the £70 million mark.

Sergio Aguero recently claimed that the Liverpool transfer target is at the ‘same level’ as Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets.

‘For me he is a great player and is at the same level as the best midfielders like Busquets, Rodri and Casemiro,’ Aguero said of Rice in an interview with Stake.

‘It seems to me that he is valued. What happens is that with him not being in a ‘Big Six’ team, he does not get talked about as much.

‘But he has proven himself and I think he is one of the strengths of the England team at the World Cup.’

Rice is currently in Qatar with England as they prepare for the World Cup and Manchester City hero Aguero has praised Gareth Southgate’s squad.

‘I think they have a team to get excited about,’ Aguero added.

‘They could not win the Euro but they showed in that tournament that they are a team to be feared.

‘I know they have had some losses in defence but they have replacements and also a mix of young players already established like Foden, Mount, Declan Rice, Rashford, Bellingham and Saka with others with more experience like Sterling, Henderson and Kane.’

Gakpo price claim – 

Joe Cole has told the likes of Liverpool that they may have to pay close to £80 million to sign PSV star Cody Gakpo

PSV reportedly value Gakpo at £40m, a fee that hasn’t changed since the summer despite his electric start to the current campaign.

He’s registered 13 goals and 17 assists in in all competitions for PSV this season and is reportedly a player that Jurgen Klopp would love to add to his squad

But while his valuation is expected to soar, former Chelsea star Cole believes he will be worth the investment.

‘He has [put his name out there],’ Cole told ITV following Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Qatar.

‘I know there have been scouts watching him, he has come to the tournament, and he is fearless. Great movement for the goal and fantastic finishing. He is going to be on everyone’s wish list.

Asked by former Netherlands international Nigel de Jong if he would pay £80m for Gakpo, Cole added: ‘I would, 100 per cent.

‘Because he’s young, we know there is value in youth, if he doesn’t quite work out you are going to cut your losses elsewhere, but he looks like the real deal.

‘I know it’s Qatar, I know it’s not one of the strongest nations but against Ecuador he scored, against Senegal he scored, he is affects the game and players who affect the game, that is where the value is.

‘I really like him, I have liked what I have seen at PSV and I am pretty sure there will be some offers on the door at PSV in January.’

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Gakpo has shown that he is ready to make that next step in his career and play for a big club – and he has certainly shown that he is now worth such a massive asking price.

But the Premier League is not the Dutch League – it is not the kind of teams he is playing against in Qatar – it could be a massive risk to make a move

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