‘Be realistic’: Director insists Liverpool and Arsenal target costs ‘over’ £35m

Follow us on Google Discover

World Cup star Cody Gakpo will now cost ‘over 40 million euros’ amid interest from Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven director Marcel Brands tells Euwig Trouw. 

Depending on who you believe, and which publication you read, Gakpo’s market value lies somewhere between £35 million and £65 million. 

One suspects, after scoring three times for the Netherlands in Qatar and showcasing his explosive finishing ability on the biggest stage of all, PSV will demand a fee closer to the latter amount than the former. 

The Eredivisie challengers turned down an initial £30 million bid from Leeds United in August; Gakpo himself admitting that he had doubts about joining a side who only avoided relegation on the final day of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign. 

And, according to Brands, the bidding now starts at 40 million euros; Gakpo now unattainable for all but the biggest and most deep-pocketed clubs on the continent. 

Liverpool and Arsenal like PSV and World Cup ace Cody Gakpo

“You also have to be realistic,” says the former Everton chief. “When you talk about Cody Gakpo, how many clubs are able to buy a player of that calibre? You are talking about maybe 10 or 12 clubs in Europe.  

“You have to need a player in that position, and be able and willing to spend the money in January. We have yet to see if it happens. 
 
“He has no (release) clause or anything. No amounts have been agreed either. It must be a record transfer for PSV anyway, so then you know in which direction it is going. Over forty million euros (£35 million).” 

The most expensive export in PSV’s history is currently the Mexico international Hirving Lozano. He joined Serie A giants Napoli back in 2019 after a pair of prolific seasons in the Netherlands. 

According to Fabrizio Romano, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have sent scouts to watch Gakpo in action recently. The Reds may be tempted to step up their interest too following Luis Diaz’s latest injury blow. Arsenal is another potential destination, with Gakpo an affordable alternative to Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk.