Arsenal are leading the race to sign PSV forward Cody Gakpo, according to Dutch outlet Voetbal International. The report claims that the 22-year-old has previously courted interest from Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Liverpool, yet it is Edu who has steered the Gunners into pole position.
Gakpo does not have a set asking price but it's expected that Mikel Arteta's side could land the Netherlands international for £35m, according to The Athletic. He's been in fine form this season — directly contributing towards 29 goals in 37 games.
The wide-man, who has been compared to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, was heavily linked with a move away in January but, after a deal failed to materialise, Gakpo penned a contract with PSV until 2026. He has since guided the Dutch outfit to within two points of league leaders Ajax.
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Gakpo is destined for a top team in the future, according to PSV's technical director John de Jong. In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf , via HITC, de Jong expressed his fondness in the player before confirmed Gakpo's eventual departure from the side amid Arsenal's interest.
“Gakpo will of course not stay in Eindhoven forever. He will go to a top club in a top league in the future. Or will that happen next summer? That’s hard to say,” the club chief said.
The Dutch side's director continued by likening his player to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. De Jong referenced Gakpo's defensive work rate as an area for improvement.
“If you look at Liverpool players like Mane and Salah, he still has a lot to learn. They are not only great footballers, but they also defend, Gakpo still has to improve on that point.”
However, despite the promising signals, Dutch football legend Marco van Basten warned Gakpo about leaving the Eredivisie amid growing interest from Europe's leading sides. The former Ajax and AC Milan striker urged his fellow countryman to bide his time and continue to ply his trade in the Netherlands.
"He has been in the Eredivisie for a year now," Van Basten said, speaking to Voetbal4U in January. "You have to have a basis to succeed abroad. That is three, four years in the Netherlands.
"Then you are just a big stronger, a bit better prepared for the higher level abroad - because it all goes much harder and faster. But nowadays, they all want to leave after one year.
"The sooner you leave, the greater the chance of not succeeding. If you do not succeed in those two, three years, then you go to another club that is less. Then your career is going to look very nasty."
