PSV will up their asking price for Cody Gakpo after the World Cup but fear their star forward will depart in the January transfer window after starring in Qatar.
The 23-year-old has scored 15 goals in 26 appearances for club and country this season and has enhanced his burgeoning reputation during Holland’s two group stage clashes in the last week.
Gakpo’s brave header broke the deadlock against Senegal earlier this week and he was on target again in last night’s 1-1 draw against Ecuador with a thunderous strike from the edge of the penalty area.
A host of Premier League clubs have registered interest in the versatile forward with Manchester United understood to have agreed personal terms in the summer, before switching their attentions to Antony.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also monitoring Gakpo’s situation, while Southampton came close to signing the player before he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to commit to PSV, who will now ask interested clubs €50m, according to ed.nl.
Speaking before the match, Gakpo was asked about the speculation over his future and insisted he was in no great rush to leave PSV, although he admitted he has seen several of his international team-mates improve at bigger clubs in Europe.
‘I understand the mindset of those players [who dream of joining a major European club]. I also have my sporting goals myself and I will make a choice from there,’ he told Algemeen Dagblad.
‘But it is certainly not the case that when I train here with players who play at big clubs abroad, I constantly think, “oh dear, now I also have to go abroad quickly.”
‘The idea that “they have all gone abroad, now I will too” is not there. But I do see players who have become even better and stronger abroad.
‘I played with Dumfries and Bergwijn at PSV and those guys have already experienced it. They share their experiences just like Memphis. The level abroad is even higher, you hear that all the time.’
Gakpo revealed he held talks with new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to discuss a move to Old Trafford last summer.
MORE : Netherlands World Cup star Cody Gakpo responds to latest Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool transfer links
MORE : Teddy Sheringham tells Manchester United not to sign ‘flitty’ World Cup star Cody Gakpo
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