Scout admits Southampton interest in £25m star, says Saints move ‘ideal’

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Southampton would be an ‘ideal’ destination for PSV Eindhoven talisman Cody Gakpo as the Dutch international weighs up Premier League offers late in the transfer window, Saints scout Piet Buter tells De Telegraaf. 

While Eredivisie imports in English football have a success rate as hit-and-miss as Kasabian’s back catalogue, the Saints boast a better track record than most. Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic shone on the South Coast, while Cuco Martina also proved to be a sensible addition. 

Gakpo falls into the ‘expensive risk’ category. But a tally of 21 goals and 15 assists last term means he looks a gamble worth taking.  

Will Southampton sign PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo?

“The question naturally arose as to whether it would be feasible to get a player like Gakpo,” explains Buter, who works as a scout at Southampton.

“But we think it’s good for an Eredivisie player to make an intermediate step at a club like Southampton; and then take the step to the real top level. 

“Like Georginio Wijnaldum did by first going to Newcastle United and then making the step to Liverpool.”

Gakpo looks set to miss out on a dream move to Manchester United; Erik Ten Hag investing a staggering £80 million in the mercurial Antony instead. Arsenal, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, not to mention Southampton, remain potential destinations before September’s transfer deadline however. 

And Buter feels that Gakpo’s blend of explosive power and ruthless end product means he should be more Luis Suarez than Matija Kezman on English shores.

“(Gakpo) has a lot of qualities to succeed in England,” Buter adds. “Gakpo is big, strong and fast. But the step to the real top level is big and therefore an intermediate step is ideal.”

According to Sky Sports, the 23-year-old is valued by PSV at around £25 million. For a Southampton side who appear to have aced the transfer window – Romeo Lavia and Armel Bella-Kotchap outstanding in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea – Gakpo’s arrival could turn a B+ into an A.