PSV Eindhoven have made retaining Cody Gakpo their ‘top priority’ this summer amid interest from Leeds United. Reports at the start of July suggested that a fee in the region of £34million could persuade PSV to let the Dutch winger leave, but it appears he won’t be going anywhere without a fight.
In an exclusive interview with Voetbal International via HITC , PSV technical director John de Jong revealed: “Keeping Cody Gakpo and Ibrahim Sangare at PSV is now top priority. I can’t say how difficult this will be at the moment.
“We want them to stay and they also know that the beginning of August is a very important period for PSV with a view to Champions League qualification. They know what we want.
“For example, if Gakpo does leave, it will be a very big challenge [to find] players of the same level or better.”
PSV boss and former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Ruud van Nistelrooy has echoed those views.
“I had a conversation with Cody [Gakpo] and Ibrahim [Sangare] during the training camp,” Van Nistelrooy told Voetbal International on Wednesday. “They are fully committed to the preparations with PSV and are further shutting themselves off from what is happening around them.”
Gakpo has attracted interest from a host of other clubs this summer, including Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. The 23-year-old contributed 21 goals and 15 assists in 46 outings across all competitions last season.
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