Cody Gakpo will leave PSV Eindhoven this summer with Arsenal leading Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in the chase, reporter Marco Timmer tells Voetbal International.
PSV have sold a talismanic forward to an English giant on two separate occasions in the last few years.
Clearly, the struggles endured by Memphis Depay and Steven Bergwijn on British soil are not enough to put Gakpo’s many suitors off.
The thrilling winger has 16 goals and 15 assists in 37 games this term.
If he was ‘exciting’ last season, he’s been ‘exceptional’ in 2021/22. So much so, a who’s who of European giants are now in competition, queuing up like a bunch of college kids yelling over each other at a packed quids-in bar.
According to Algemeen Dagblad, Arsenal have held formerly expressed their interest in talks with Gakpo’s agent. What’s more, the Gunners are willing to pay a ‘significant amount’ for a forward rumoured to be valued at around £33 million.
Is Cody Gakpo heading to Arsenal?
But Arsenal are not the only club in discussions with the much-coveted Dutch international.
“It is now a certainty that Cody Gakpo will leave PSV,” explains Timmer, who also believes Ibrahim Sangare could leave the Phillips Stadium amid interest from Newcastle United.
“(Gakpo) has already spoken to clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City, while Bayern Munich are also interested.”
Bayern, Liverpool and Man City can offer Champions League football and almost guaranteed silverware. But Timmer believes Gakpo is wary of expecting ‘too much too soon’.
An admittedly-improving Arsenal might not be the swaggering force of old. But the club’s recent demise in the post-Arsene Wenger years could actually benefit them in the pursuit of Gakpo’s signature.
The step up from PSV to Arsenal, after all, is not quite as large as the one from PSV to City.
“An intermediate step on his way to the absolute top of European football seems to be his preference,” Timmer adds. “At the moment, Arsenal are in pole position, but nothing is definitive.
“PSV are aiming for at least forty million euros (around £33 million).”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
