Manchester United and Arsenal transfer target Cody Gakpo has revealed how Ruud van Nistelrooy helped turn him into one of Europe's most sought-after forwards.
The PSV Eindhoven star has worked with Van Nistelrooy since youth level, with the ex-Red Devils striker recently agreeing to become the club's first-team manager from the end of this season. Gakpo, a versatile attacker who can play as either a centre forward or out wide, has been linked with a move to the Premier League after an outstanding campaign under current boss Roger Schmidt, and reports claim that the Gunners are in pole position.
Across his 21 appearances in the Eredivisie this term, the 22-year-old has scored nine goals and registered 13 assists, also helping the Dutch giants to the last eight of the Europa Conference League by netting three strikes in as many starts. Speaking to the Sun ahead of their quarter-final clash with Leicester City on Thursday, Gakpo opened up on his relationship with his mentor, Van Nistelrooy.
"Van Nistelrooy was my striker trainer in the academy," the youngster, who has even worn the captain's armband for PSV, 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."
With his tutelage in the past, 6ft 2in Gakpo is now looking towards the future but remained coy on transfer speculation. "I try to stay focused on what I am doing now and finishing the season really well, then after that I can focus on something else," the four-capped Netherlands international added, with a price tag of £42million being mooted.
"If I can make a step to a team who plays in the Champions League every season, of course it is my dream. But I still have a contract and there is a new coach coming in — but maybe there comes a club I cannot say no to. Maybe they won't come and I have to stay but for now I just want to keep working on this season."
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Van Nistelrooy, meanwhile, has finished his playing career which saw him bag 95 goals in 150 appearances at Old Trafford. The former United marksman, who was a coach with the Netherlands during Euro 2020, will step into his first senior post come June and declared upon his appointment: "It has always been my dream to be head coach at PSV.
"I've worked intensively with Toon Gerbrands, PSV's current General Manager, the past few seasons. I was convinced I could pursue a professional coaching career and originally thought I needed one more year to gain experience. But sometimes things do go their way and you find out that life is not completely manageable.
"This is the right moment to take the next step. PSV are ready to embark on a new path this summer and I am ready to play my part. Talks with the board of directors have reinforced the idea that we are ambitious and look to create something special in the long term. I am excited for the task in hand."
