Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Graeme Bailey has been discussing Cody Gakpo’s future ahead of the World Cup.
Many are tipping the Dutch forward to have a breakout tournament in Qatar after a blistering start in the Eredivisie this season, and according to Bailey, PSV Eindhoven are resigned to losing the player in the winter transfer window.
So, if Gakpo is leaving, where is he going?
Well, Bailey says that Leeds and Southampton won’t be in the race this time around, despite their attempts to sign him in the summer.
The journalist does state that Arsenal have been sniffing around, but he ultimately concluded that a move to Manchester United is the most likely outcome due to the fact that Gakpo shares an agent with Erik ten Hag and the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to leave the club very soon.
Gakpo’s future
Bailey spoke about Gakpo’s situation.
“Cody Gakpo, a bit of an update on him. PSV are fully expecting him to leave in January. When you think back, they got knocked out of the Champions League and that had an effect on them financially, so they could do with the money.
“They had that Champions League money in their equations, so that Gakpo move makes sense now. The Ronaldo situation will have a knock-on effect with Gakpo I think. He has the same representatives as Erik ten Hag, so everything points towards Gakpo and United. We know Arsenal have had a sniff around him recently, but I think if you’re a Leeds or Southampton fan, your chance has gone.”
Be careful
Cody Gakpo to Manchester United probably does make a lot of sense, but the Dutchman needs to be careful before moving to Old Trafford.
The pressure of playing for a United team that is so desperate for success has caused damage to many talented attackers’ careers.
His fellow countryman, Memphis Depay, will atone to that, while Jadon Sancho is currently going through his own turmoil at United.
The pressure of playing for that club in that position is just too high for some players, and Gakpo may be better off joining a team like Arsenal where there is a more welcoming environment for young stars finding their feet in Europe’s top leagues.
Gakpo has the world at his feet, but he needs to choose his next move wisely.
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