Gianluca Di Marzio fancies Arsenal to sign Cody Gakpo
Reputed journalist Gianluca Di Marzio believes Arsenal could compete with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to sign PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo this winter.
The Gunners have been sensational during the first three months of the Premier League campaign. They are deservedly top of the table with a four-point lead over holders Manchester City.
The onus will now be on maintaining or extending the gap by the World Cup break. If they are able to do so, manager Mikel Arteta has every right to ask for some marquee signings in January.
In our view, Gakpo would be a huge game-changer for the Gunners, and Di Marzio believes the north London giants would be one of the ‘right projects’ for a quality player of the Dutchman’s calibre.
In an exclusive interview with WettFreunde, he said: “I know him very well. He’s a very, very good player. When you play in the Eredivisie with PSV and Ajax, you obviously learn intensity and quality, so the Premier League is the right move for players like him. I think Manchester United, Arsenal or Tottenham.”
“It depends on what PSV want for him. I think Manchester United or Arsenal, or Tottenham, for that matter, are the right projects for a quality and intense player like him.
“Of course, it’s still too early to say if there is a deal or if the clubs are talking to each other. We are in October, and there is also a World Cup, so all transfers will be postponed. Each club will wait until the World Cup and see what happens.”
Arsenal must beat Premier League rivals to Gakpo’s services
Arsenal have been long linked with a move for the Netherlands international and they should capitalise on the opportunity to sign him this winter. Gakpo was on the radar of Manchester United last summer, but they could not afford him after the big-money signing of Antony from Ajax.
However, the Red Devils could return for his services at the beginning of the year and the Gunners must ensure that they make early contact with his representative. Gakpo shares the same agency as United boss Erik ten Hag but eventually, he should decide his future based on the club’s progress.
The Gunners are definitely in a better period of transition than the Red Devils. If they can stay top until the winter break, the club would prove a lucrative destination for Gakpo. Some fans may feel that Gakpo’s arrival does not make sense with Gabriel Martinelli in a good run of form currently.
However, Gakpo has been significantly better than the Brazilian this campaign with a staggering 24 goal contributions compared to Martinelli’s six. It is a no-brainer to sign him in January. The Dutchman’s added creativity in the final third could guide the Gunners much closer to the title.
Gakpo was valued in the region of €45-50 million over the summer transfer window and the price is bound to rise further with his spectacular form this campaign. Arsenal missed out on the top four last term after the lack of winter spending and should not be hesitant to spend this time around.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
