Arsenal can finally land winger signing by beating Man Utd to discounted £25m January bargain

Arsenal can finally land winger signing by beating Man Utd to discounted £25m January bargain

Arsenal could reportedly land PSV starlet Cody Gakpo for as cheap as £25million this January should they wish to pursue a deal for the flying Dutchman, who helped down them on Thursday night in the Europa League in Eindhoven. The Gunners have long been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old as he continues to deliver big numbers in the Eredivisie, where he is now widely regarded as one of the best players in the division.

Gakpo has been involved in 27 goals this season (scored 13, assisted 14) in all competitions, meaning he is one of the most in-form players in all of Europe.

His electric acceleration and attacking threat was clear for all to see in midweek, as PSV ruthlessly punished a lacklustre Arsenal performance at the Philips Station.

Arsenal were exploring the signing of another winger, one that could provide further competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, in the summer transfer window.

However, following a substantial search of the market, Mikel Arteta and Edu decided to shelve plans to land another forward until a later date – instead prioritising a central midfielder after seeing three bids rejected on deadline day by Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz.

Should Arsenal, who have been scouting the player, wish to enter the running – they will have to see off firm interest from the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa, Leeds and Southampton to land Gakpo’s signature.

Gakpo recently revealed in an interview with The Times that he held extensive talks with Erik ten Hag this summer over a move to Old Trafford before the transfer later collapsed.

Leeds and Southampton also made a serious play for him but now he is targeting a move to one of the Premier League’s Big Six – despite interest from further afield.

“It’s not only Premier League clubs after him,” PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy recently revealed. “Of course, with the quality he is showing the form he is having over the last three or four months; it’s been exceptional.

“His stats, his assists and goals that he’s been involved in, of course draw the attention of the best clubs in European football. The good thing about him, his age, he is only 23 years old, he is fully focusing on his career, becoming a better player, captaining PSV, giving the club the best he can.

“He is focusing on having a great World Cup, where he is also playing games for the [Netherlands] national team under [Louis] van Gaal. For him, he is in a fantastic moment and he wants to continue that. When the time comes he will make decisions.”

Gakpo ticks several boxes for Arsenal, who have been focusing their efforts on signing players within a particular age bracket (under the age of 24).

At 23, Gakpo is also hugely versatile and can play in any position across the frontline including centre-forward. It’s the kind of quality that would be worth its weight in gold to Arsenal, who are now looking to enhance their squad depth in a bid to maintain a serious challenge on all fronts.