Southampton are prepared to launch a €40m (£34m) bid to sign PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo, with Arsenal and Leeds United also reportedly interested in the 23-year-old attacker.
According to the Eindhovens Dagblad, the Saints are prepared to go big to sign Gakpo in the final days of the summer transfer window, with the Telegraph already reporting this week that Southampton have had an offer rejected by PSV for the Netherlands international.
Gakpo heads into the last week of the market as one of the hottest properties in Holland, with Arsenal and Leeds both reportedly interested in the winger with Southampton now firmly joining the race to sign the attacker, who was also on Manchester United’s radar before their £84m capture of Ajax star Antony.
One of the most productive talents in the Eredivise last season who the Eindhovens Dagblad describe as a ‘perfect’ player for the Premier League, Southampton winning the race to sign Gakpo will come as a shock to many given how many big English sides have been interested in the PSV star this summer.
Indeed, with the likes of Arsenal and Leeds both in the market for a wide-attacker in the closing stages of the transfer window, Southampton landing Gakpo will come as a major surprise to fans and pundits, yet it could also be a move that finally elevates the south coast side to the next level.
After all, whilst Ralph Hasenhuttl has done a fine job at Southampton, especially in the market this summer, signing Gakpo feels like a true statement signing for the Saints, especially when it comes at the expense of both Arsenal and Leeds, two clubs who have been chasing the Dutch star for months.
Southampton signing Gakpo will be a contender for transfer of the summer
As mentioned, Southampton have made some great moves this summer with the likes of Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia and Armel Bella-Kotchap already becoming regulars for the Saints, yet adding Gakpo to the mix will be on a different level from anything the Premier League side have brought in some time, and it could be a game-changer.
After all, this is a player who tore the Dutch top-flight apart last season, and with Arsenal and Leeds fighting for his signature all summer, Southampton signing Gakpo will be a huge sign of intent from Hasenhuttl, who could take the Saints up the Premier League standings over the next few months,
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