Steve Nicol questions Cody Gakpo’s transfer to Liverpool. The former right back, who became champion four times with Liverpool between 1981 and 1994 and won the European Cup I once, is surprised by the ‘low’ transfer fee.
PSV spoke of a record transfer, but did not mention an amount when announcing the agreement. According to reliable English media, PSV will receive approximately fifty million euros for Cody Gakpo’s transfer to Liverpool, including bonuses. The fixed amount is around 37 million pounds, approximately 42 million euros. “For someone who is regarded as one of the best players in the World Cup…,” said Nicol, who played 27 caps for Scotland, in an ESPN UK broadcast. “Why is it so little? Why is it only 37?” he questioned.
Does Gakpo fit the system? What position does he play?
The transfer fee contributes to the doubts that Nicol has about the transfer. He wonders what role Gakpo can play in Jürgen Klopp’s team. “He doesn’t play very deep, he doesn’t play in the point, he’s a bit in between. How does he fit into Liverpool’s game? I don’t know if he fits in there. Perhaps they see a role for him to complement the front three, or he will play more withdrawn in the Jude Bellingham role and enter the penalty area later. Is he going to do all the work and come forward? For me he falls a bit in between.”
Table mate Craig Burley, a former Scottish international and midfielder for Chelsea and Celtic, among others, does not share those concerns. “At the moment, Liverpool don’t really have that threat from midfield. Wijnaldum was someone who always sprinted towards the penalty area and with that he was of service to the attackers, because he kept a defender busy,” Burley suggested. “And for this money…Jesus, that’s a bargain!” Burley adds. “It’s not like they’re paying a hundred million. It’s nothing. Liverpool steals a player. I think it’s a great deal.”
Former world champion and European champion Frank Leboeuf agrees. “He has proven during the World Cup how talented he is,” says the Frenchman. “He has to find his place in the Liverpool system, but I entrust that to Jürgen Klopp. For this price it’s a good deal. I think it’s a bargain for Liverpool. They also need a player because of the injuries.”
