PSV Eindhoven's director of football Marcel Brands has admitted he had to be 'realistic' when Liverpool came calling for Cody Gakpo in January.

The Reds sealed a deal to bring the Dutchman to Anfield and he has recently begun to show his star quality, bagging a brace against Manchester United and scoring in the Merseyside derby.

Diccussing the decision to sell his star player, the ex-Everton chief told BNR: "Of course it was a financial issue. But on the other hand, you also have to be realistic. If Liverpool come for Gakpo and promises have been made, you can't stop that.

“Madueke was not planned and not expected, but it came a lot of money on the table, and it was Chelsea.

"That's when we made that choice."