PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo has named the five clubs he will consider joining next summer with a transfer battle set to erupt around the attacker.
Gakpo has starred for PSV so far this season, scoring 13 goals and notching 17 assists to help them emerge as Ajax's closest rivals in the Eredivisie and reach the knockout stages of the Europa League. His performances have earned him a place in the Netherlands squad for the upcoming World Cup.
And they have also drawn the eye of several interested clubs, who are now thought to be lining up moves for the 23-year-old. Manchester United did attempt to sign him in the summer window just gone but failed to close out a deal for the winger.
And the Red Devils have now been warned that they face a major battle to sign him next summer if they reignite their interest. Gakpo has admitted that he will consider moves to Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool and Barcelona, as well as United.
"I know it's something special. It's the highest stage you can play on and I'm really curious about how it will make me feel. I want to be even more consistent and score even more. I think I can also learn a lot in terms of my head power, my left leg and choosing my position," he told NOS.
"I think at the end of this season I will be ready to take that step. I feel like I was already that way at the beginning of this season, but after this season I'm even more ready to take the next one, to take a step.
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"PSV was always my dream club. I don't really have one for the rest. Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. It would be an honour to play there, but I also have to see what kind of team I can best achieve my goals, would come right.
"Of course, you can learn a lot from other professionals in your team, who have already experienced such things. How they deal with certain situations. You get to know each other better and I think you can do a lot on the field, but also off it, out of such a tournament."
Gakpo will play his final game before the World Cup later on Saturday night as PSV host AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie. He will then hope to earn a place in the starting line-up when the Netherlands begin their Group A campaign against Senegal.
He has been handed nine senior caps so far, appearing in their last five games in succession. The attacker will also be looking to extend his scoring record for his country, having scored two goals and notched one assist in his last three games.
A good performance in Qatar will put Gakpo at the forefront of any transfer conversations among his leading suitors. It is likely his future could become one of the stories of next summer's transfer window.
