PSV winger Cody Gakpo has admitted that he likes Arsenal “a lot” as the 22-year-old continues to be linked with a move away from the capital.
Gakpo has a contract until 2026, but the Eindhoven side are reportedly willing to listen to offers this summer. (Getty Images)
According to The Athletic, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona and Arsenal are all interested in signing the Netherlands international in the summer transfer window.
Gakpo, meanwhile, revealed that he has been enquiring about England’s top flight and that an Arsenal legend was among his heroes while growing up.
“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.”
Gakpo is PSV’s top goalscorer and top assist provider this season with 22 league goals and assists. (Getty Images)
“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.”
While the 22-year-old – who has 17 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this season – only recently signed a new long-term deal until 2026, PSV are reportedly open to selling him for €50 million (£41.7 million), what is certain to be their record ever transfer sale.
Gakpo can play as a centre forward or as a winger, and tends to score goals when doing the former and create them when the latter and if he could replicate such form in the Premier League, that amount of money for a young talent like his would be a drop in the ocean.