Robin van Persie is full of praise for PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo amid reports that the Dutch international could follow in his footsteps at Premier League leaders Arsenal, speaking to BT Sport (27 October, 5pm).
While going down 2-0 to an impressive PSV side on Thursday night – their first defeat of the Europa League group-stage – Mikel Arteta can at least take some consolation in knowing that Arsenal managed to keep one of the continent’s most in-form forwards at arms’ length.
Luuk de Jong and the mesmerising Xavi Simons may have wreaked havoc throughout the second half, but Gakpo didn’t quite have the same impact; marshalled excellently by Takehiro Tomiyasu while seeing two goals rightly disallowed for offside.
A rare off-night is unlikely to scare away Gakpo’s growing throng of suitors, however, with Arsenal among them. The Mirror say that the Gunners have been monitoring the explosive 23-year-old for the past 12 months.
Will Cody Gakpo leave PSV Eindhoven for the Premier League?
“He is a good player and always finds a way in most games to have an influence, in terms of getting an assist or scoring a goal,” says Van Persie, who joined Arsenal from Feyenoord nearly two decades ago.
“(Gakpo) is always dangerous (but) not really an out-and-out striker. He can play as a No.10, on the (left) wing, as a false striker or on the right wing.
“He has a good physique. He’s strong, fast and can dribble. An all-round player.”
Gakpo has a remarkable 13 goals and 14 assists in just 21 appearances for PSV this season. Leeds United have agreed personal terms with the forward’s camp, though Gakpo now has his heart set on joining a club far higher up the footballing pyramid (Mirror).
“I was close to leaving (in the summer),” the £40 million-rated Gakpo tells The Times. “I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United.
“In the end, the deal didn’t go through, which was a shame for me and my development. Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world. But also (a shame) for PSV because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.
“(In the final week of the window) I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton. In the end, I stayed. But it was a stressful period.”
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