PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo has reportedly attracted transfer interest from both Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of this summer - and there have already been plenty of Premier League influences on his journey to this point.
The Evening Standard have reported that the Gunners are keen on a move for the winger, who turned 23 last month, while others have claimed that London rivals Chelsea are also considering making a move.
While two of London’s biggest clubs have been credited with interest in the four-time Dutch international, he has previously revealed that he is an admirer of Merseyside giants Liverpool. Gakpo admits he likes watching them due to Dutch teammate and star centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who has helped the Reds win all four major club titles since his arrival. Arsenal, one of those linked with his signature, are also amongst his favoured sides.
“The Premier League is a big league,” Gakpo told The Sun back in April. “Virgil van Dijk plays there with Liverpool so I like to watch them.
“We are not the same kind of league but I think we try to look at the Prem and learn about it. Everybody wants to play one time in the Prem. I don’t favour one team but I like Arsenal a lot.”
In his youth, Gakpo idolised former Arsenal, France and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, who remains among the greatest forwards to ever grace the Premier League. Henry started his career as a winger before moving up front, something that Gakpo feels he can relate to.
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“I looked up to Henry when I was younger because he was a tall guy who played on the wing,” Gakpo added. Gakpo, who helped PSV win the KNVB Cup during the 2021/22 term, can thank one of his former coaches for his scoring ability up front.
Gakpo scored 21 goals in 47 matches last season and scored seven of those in Europe, netting in each of the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, as well as notching twice in the KNVB Cup, including the winner in April’s final against Ajax.
In PSV’s academy, Gakpo worked under Manchester United and Netherlands great Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who has helped get the best out of the winger in front of goal. "Van Nistelrooy was my striker trainer in the academy,” Gakpo explained. “I have learned a lot from him and I look up to him. He's spoken to me about how to finish in certain situations and it helped me a lot.
“He told me some tricks on shooting and keeping my options open. Shoot low and hard, not beautiful and high. A goal is a goal, you know. I am grateful he did."
Since making his first-team debut in a win of Feyenoord in February 2018, Gakpo has scored 42 goals in 135 appearances, half of which have come this season. He has also played four times for the Netherlands, scoring once during a win over Montenegro.
