PSV Eindhoven sold star forward Cody Gakpo due to their financial circumstances.

The Dutch club, managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, had been hoping to hold onto Gakpo until next summer.

However, a deal of £44 million to take Gakpo to Liverpool is all but concluded.

While a bidding war did not emerge for Gakpo, as PSV had hoped, they did get a sizable fee to ease their financial circumstances.

According to De Telegraaf, PSV have to collect a specific sum through player sales every year.

The sale of Gakpo has now eased that burden, meaning they can retain the rest of their squad.