Eredivisie star Cody Gakpo should jump at the chance to join Mikel Arteta at Premier League giants Arsenal in the summer transfer window, former PSV Eindhoven midfielder Kenneth Perez tells ESPN.
On a weekend in which Gakpo’s former PSV team-mate Steven Bergwijn admitted that he was open to leaving Tottenham Hotspur in search of regular game-time in the lead up to the Qatar World Cup, Gakpo is under pressure to make a decision that could make or break his own hopes of securing a seat on the plane.
Gakpo, an explosive and deliciously unpredictable forward who scored a wonderful goal in PSV’s 2-1 Dutch Cup victory over Ajax in April, has been linked with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Perez, however, feels that the 22-year-old winger has a lot to learn before he can command a starting spot at one of Europe’s top clubs.
Not that Arsenal will be particularly pleased to be seen as a ‘stepping stone’ on the pathway to something arguably bigger and supposedly better.
Is Arsenal perfect for Cody Gakpo?
“You tend to link to Gakpo to these kinds of clubs (Man City etc), but I don’t think you can do that,” says Perez.
“I think he really needs to take an intermediate step, although he does play with a new kind of maturity. That’s why Arsenal (would be) a great entry level team. They are not the very, very highest level.”
According to The Mail, Arsenal opened talks over a deal that would see Gakpo join for around £40 million.
And while comparisons will inevitably be made between him and Bergwijn, it must be said that Gakpo has scored more goals this season (19, while assisting a further 15) than Spurs’ £27 million benchwarmer managed in any of his five seasons in the PSV first-team.
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
“Fifty million – definitely worth it,” former Netherlands international Rene Van der Kerkhof says of Gakpo.
“I think he is one of the best players that PSV has produced in recent years. A top player. He has a lot of footballing qualities; He can play well on the left and right (wing), but I would put him in the number ten position.
“I think Gakpo can certainly succeed in England.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
