Man Utd icon gives verdict on £65m Liverpool transfer target’s future

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PSV Eindhoven manager and Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy has said he would prefer rumoured Liverpool target Cody Gakpo to leave in the summer transfer window rather than in January.

Speaking to Voetbal International via Goal, the Dutch coach revealed that he hopes his star player decides to stay with PSV until the end of the season, with the 23-year-old attacker currently set to leave the Eredivisie giants in the coming weeks.

Gakpo was one of the breakout stars of 2022 FIFA World Cup with the winger bagging three goals as Holland made it to the quarter-finals of the competition, with TeamTalk recently reporting that Liverpool are now interested in the winger, along with numerous top European clubs.

And now Van Nistelrooy has thrown his opinion into the ring, with the former United talisman saying about Gakpo leaving PSV: “If I have the choice, I prefer [Gakpo to leave in] the summer, but it can also be now. You just know there comes a time when you can’t say no.”

With a reported asking price of €75m (£65m) according to Foot Mercato, Gakpo is expected to leave PSV in 2023 for a club-record transfer fee. Yet for Liverpool, this valuation and Van Nistelrooy’s recent comments don’t bode well for Jurgen Klopp.

Indeed, Liverpool’s priority in January is seemingly a central midfield, and whilst Van Nistelrooy is keen to keep hold of Gakpo into the summer, there’s a strong chance that the winger will leave next month, a ship that will sail straight past the Reds.

Gakpo almost-certain to leave PSV in January

Van Nistelrooy’s stance on Gakpo is a reasonable one to have, with the 23-year-old one of the best attackers in Europe and a key reason behind PSV’s success in the last 18 months. Yet given how much interest there now is in the winger, not cashing in now would be a big mistake.

After all, £65m for a club like PSV has the potential to change everything for the Dutch side. And whilst Van Nistelrooy is entitled to his opinion, Gakpo leaving in January could help the club in the long-term more than any transfer this January.