Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan has told talkSPORT that the agent of reported Liverpool target Cody Gakpo is speaking with clubs over a transfer from PSV Eindhoven.
But Van der Kraan also warns Gakpo against accepting a move to the Premier League too soon in his career. As while he views the forward as “one of the most promising players in Dutch football”, too many Eredivisie stars flop when they move to England too early.
Davy Klassen lasted a season at Everton after the Toffees took a £11.5m hit on the fee paid to Ajax in 2017. Memphis Depay also failed to replicate his PSV performances after joining Manchester United for £31m in 2015. Donny van de Beek has also more recently struggled.
Liverpool and Manchester City are among the sides now exploring a transfer for PSV talent Gakpo, Voetbal International report. They also held exploratory talks with the 22-year-old, who has 10 goals and 11 assists after 28 appearances so far this season in all competitions.
However, Arsenal have now joined the race as they look for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s replacement. Foot Mercato report the Gunners could launch a late assault on the Philips Stadion for the €30m (£25m) winger. If not, they may wait until the end of the season.
Van der Kraan warns Liverpool target Gakpo against early PSV exit
PSV Eindhoven have moved to further protect themselves from losing Gakpo over the final days of the market, amid Premier League transfer interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. The Boeren announced on Thursday that he had signed a one-year contract extension to 2026.
His new terms may persuade Arsenal and Liverpool to wait until the summer to swoop. And Van der Kraan agrees with Marco van Basten that he should wait to go, telling talkSPORT:
“Cody is a great player, but I agree with Marco van Basten – who has been campaigning against young players leaving so early. He’s great in Holland and the Eredivisie, and if you don’t know any different parameters in other leagues, you would think this guy could play for Man United, Man City, Liverpool – all the clubs who have been looking at him.
“They have been sending their scouts to Holland and have been watching all the videos of him. His agent is in touch with some really big clubs in that top-five in the Premier League, he went to visit them last week.
“But Davy Klaassen and so many other players, Memphis Depay, when they left the Eredivisie early, they can’t do it. English football is another massive step up. I would advise Cody to not rush to the big clubs – make sure you play every week. He’s only got to look at Donny van de Beek to see what could happen to him.”
Van Basten and Van der Kraan urge patience amid significant interest
Dutch icon Van Basten had told Ziggo Sport that Gakpo should spend at least three or four seasons in the Eredivisie before considering moves to bigger leagues, like in England.
But Gakpo is now in his third season as a first-team regular after breaking through from the PSV academy in 2018. He also scored seven goals in each of the 2019/20 and 20/21 terms.
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