PSV technical director John de Jong has claimed that the future of star winger Cody Gakpo should be settled well before the end of the transfer window, amid links with the Premier League.
The Dutchman, who appeared 27 times in the Eredivisie this season, racked up 12 goals and 13 assists from the wing, and has reportedly caught the attention of both Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window, despite having a contract in place until 2026.
But, as per De Jong, any move for the 23-year-old will have to take place before the beginning of September, when the transfer window shuts, but his future is likely to ‘be clear’ by the beginning of August.
‘It will not last until September 1 with Cody’, he told NOS. ‘I don’t think he wants that either. At the beginning of August, then things should be clear’
What has Gakpo said previously?
Last month, Gakpo revealed that he speaks to his national teammates – including Tottenham’s Steven Bergwijn – about the Premier League, but that he has a particular soft spot for north London rivals Arsenal.
‘Everybody wants to play one time in the Prem,’ the attacker told The Sun. ‘I don’t favour one team but I like Arsenal a lot.’
‘I looked up to [Thierry] Henry when I was younger because he was a tall guy who played on the wing.’
‘The Premier League is a big league. Virgil van Dijk plays there with Liverpool so I like to watch them. We are not the same kind of league but I think we try to look at the Prem and learn about it.
‘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. 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.’
With no Champions League, Arsenal could have lost ground in the race for his signature.