Gakpo was also wanted by Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of forward Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.

The Reds swooped for the Netherlands international over Christmas, beating arch-rivals Manchester United to his signature in a deal reportedly worth £37million.

He will officially become a Liverpool player on 1 January, subject to a work permit, after completing his medical on Merseyside on Wednesday. The new arrival could make his debut for Jurgen Klopp’s side against Brentford on 2 January.

The Netherlands international enjoyed a sensational start to the 2022-23 season, scoring 13 times and laying on 17 assists in 24 appearances for PSV.

He further enhanced his burgeoning reputation with three goals for Netherlands at the World Cup, scoring in each of Le Orange’s group games against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar.

‘I feel really good, I’m really excited to be here. I’m looking forward to start training and start playing for this amazing club,’ Gakpo told the club’s official website.

‘I think this is a great club for me to come in and try to show what I can [do] and try to help the team to achieve more beautiful moments that they already did in the past years.

Gakpo scored three times at the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

‘I think for me personally it’s also good to develop here and there’s a lot of great players here [who] I can learn a lot of things from.’

He added: ‘I’m really looking forward to [playing at Anfield]. I heard a lot of great stories about the stadium, about the atmosphere. I cannot wait.

‘Obviously [my aim is] to win as many prizes as we can as a team, to perform well, to show the world what we can do as a team and what I can do as a player. And personally, just to keep developing and become a better player every season.

‘I’m really thankful that everybody is giving me such a warm welcome and I’m really looking forward to seeing everybody in the stadium and around the city.’

United manager Erik ten Hag discussed a move to Old Trafford with Gakpo during the summer transfer window with the club eventually prioritising a move for Antony.

With United limited to loan moves in the January window, recent reports have suggested ten Hag was left frustrated with the club’s inability to bring in a player he viewed as a top target.

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Gakpo arrives in a deal worth £44m.