Manchester United and Arsenal have been hit by a serious blow to their hopes of signing Cody Gakpo with PSV Eindhoven set to block any departure for the winger.
Gakpo has been attracting interest from both the Red Devils and the Gunners, with both sides looking to sign wingers. He starred for PSV last season, scoring 21 goals and notching 15 assists in all competitions, and netted twice on the opening day of this campaign.
The Red Devils and Arsenal are yet to submit an official bid for the Netherlands international. It is thought that a bid of £35million would be enough to sign him, though PSV are in a strong negotiating position.
He only signed a new contract in January, which will keep him at the Philips Stadion for another four years. And PSV have been holding firm in their stance to keep him in the Eredivisie for at least another season.
And according to the Daily Record, that strong negotiating position means that the Dutch side will not sanction a sale 'under any circumstances'. It is stated that the winger was told of PSV's stance in the immediate aftermath of their win over Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's men fought back from going a goal behind on aggregate to progress to a play-off against Rangers. Gakpo played all 120 minutes as goals from Joey Veerman, Erick Gutierrez and Luuk de Jong secured a 4-3 win on aggregate.
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Ahead of the second leg clash, Gakpo had hinted he could stay at PSV if they reach the group stages of the Champions League. Though he did admit that he was open to holding talks over his future with PSV chiefs.
"We must first focus on [the second leg against Monaco] and try to make it to the Champions League. Then it is more likely that I will stay. I don't think I have said anywhere that I am leaving, so there is definitely a chance that I will stay. I'm open for a cup of coffee with the management - or coffee for them and water for me. We'll see how it goes," he told ESPN.
Dutch football pundit Marcel van der Kraan tipped United to win the race to sign him. Van der Kraan insisted that if the choice was Gakpo's, he would move to Old Trafford, though admitted he is concerned about how long it may take him to adapt to the Premier League.
“He is the kind of player Erik Ten Hag likes because he likes to play with wingers. For every Dutch player who goes to play in England, it takes time to adapt. With that in mind, I’m a bit concerned because Gakpo is outstanding in all the big Dutch big matches and in Europe.
"But playing in and out, I’m a bit concerned. I think eventually he will eventually be the top man at a big club and I could see him featuring for Manchester United but there are other top clubs in the bidding for wanting him.
"There are around five Premier League clubs after Gakpo. But if the choice is there, he will go to Manchester United. PSV have made it very clear there is no way he will sell this boy until they are certain they will play in the Champions League.”
