Arsenal tipped as ‘really good fit’ for Liverpool target, with transfer battle looming
One pundit reckons Arsenal would be a ‘really good fit’ for Liverpool target Cody Gakpo, as the attacker could ‘come into his own’ there.
Gakpo mainly plays as a left winger but can also operate at centre-forward or on the right flank if needed. He is putting up impressive numbers for PSV Eindhoven this season – 16 goals and 15 assists in 37 matches so far.
The forward is gaining European experience, too. He has featured in Champions League qualifiers, the Europa League and UEFA’s inaugural Europa Conference League this term.
Despite being just 22, Gakpo regularly captains PSV. That shows just how much coaches rate him at the Philips Stadium.
However, Gakpo is unlikely to play in the Netherlands next season. Liverpool and Manchester City first came in for his services back in January.
The English sides did not launch bids, but they did open preliminary talks. More recently, it has been Arsenal leading the way.
According to a recent report from Dutch outlet Voetbal International, the Gunners are in the driving seat to organise a deal with PSV.
His contract there runs until 2026, meaning a transfer could cost Mikel Arteta’s team a significant amount. transfermarkt rate the four-time Dutch international at £22.5million.
Cody Gakpo future discussed
Dutch journalists Bruce Tol and Jamil Mensah have been discussing Gakpo’s next move.
Tol believes a switch Arsenal would be the best solution for him. “I think it’s quite a cool club, actually,” the journalist said (via Sport Witness).
“I really like how mature he is at PSV and how he really pulls the team together. That always says a lot about a player to me, if you can do that at such a young age. Never mind your football skills.
“It’s just that I’d rather watch those absolute top clubs, you know? I’d rather watch Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, who, of course, were also linked with him. But then I think it’s quite difficult to go there.
“Arsenal are just a bit below the European top, and I think that category of club would be a really good fit. Maybe he’ll come into his own in the Premier League.”
However, Mensah believes Gakpo could be held back by Arteta’s existing options in attack. He can already rely on talented youngsters Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli in forward areas.
“I know what you mean, and I certainly agree with you that Gakpo is a really good player,” Mensah said.
“His mentality, from what I can see, is really good. But I think at Arsenal, especially in the forward line, they already have quite a lot of young players.
“As an Arsenal manager, I would not have another twenty-two year old.
“I’d rather look at a player who has played in a bigger league at a young age and already developed.”
READ MORE: Arsenal to make waves with world-class pair signing in £99m double deal – Euro Paper Talk
The post Arsenal tipped as ‘really good fit’ for Liverpool target, with transfer battle looming appeared first on TEAMtalk.