Liverpool set to repeat Cody Gakpo trick and beat Man Utd to dream January signing

Liverpool are reportedly set to beat Manchester United to another January signing - in a similar way to how they pulled off a deal to sign Cody Gakpo last year.

The Reds swooped in to sign Gakpo from PSV before the January transfer window even opened, despite United having tracked the forward for a number of months.

Gakpo even revealed to the Daily Mirror that he thought he was going to sign for United before joining the Reds, while then fellow Premier League side Leeds had launched a bid in the previous summer.

According to ESPN, via sources, Erik ten Hag's side didn't launch an official offer for the forward as they couldn't match Liverpool's financial package, which was worth around £35 million.

Gakpo has settled nicely into life on Merseyside by playing a significant role in Jurgen Klopp's attack, while his versatility means he can drop into midfield as well.

And Liverpool could now swoop to sign another United-linked player this window.

The Reds are currently in the midst of a defensive injury crisis, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip all out of action.

While Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are expected to return before the end of January, Liverpool are currently running on bare bones in the defensive department currently.

And according to local France outlet Nice-Matin (via GFFN), the Reds have registered interest in signing Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.

The former Barcelona centre-back has been one of the most reliable players in Ligue 1 for several seasons, and United were linked with signing him in the summer.

That move didn't happen, but CaughtOffside claim that there is still keen interest in the France defender, who has collected two caps for his country.

It appears to be a straight shootout between Liverpool and United for his signature - although the latter may have to sell to buy - with other suitors Tottenham having bought centre-back Radu Dragusin from Genoa in a £26.7 million deal.