By Betsefy
PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo is reportedly set to change agents, amid interest from a number of clubs in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old was one of the most sought-after forwards during the summer transfer window, after recording 21 goals and 15 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions last season.
Manchester United appeared to be the frontrunners for his signature towards the end of the window and they allegedly agreed personal terms with the Dutchman, but PSV director John de Jong recently revealed that a deal failed to materialise.
“Manchester United signed up at the beginning of the transfer period. They expressed their interest. But after that, it took a long time,” De Jong told Voetbal International.
“In the end, as management, we had talks with United between the games against Rangers. Then it seemed to get more concrete, but that faded and at the end of the window the option to sell him to United was no longer there.”
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Southampton were also strongly linked with a move for Gakpo and they allegedly saw an offer in excess of £20m turned down by PSV.
Meanwhile, Leeds United director of football Victor Orta flew to the Netherlands to hold talks with PSV over a deal for the attacker, but both parties were unable to reach an agreement.
With the Dutch transfer window closing a day earlier than the rest of Europe due to an administrative error by the Dutch FA, PSV refused to sell Gakpo in the closing stages of the window as they would have been unable to recruit a replacement.
Gakpo, who still has four years remaining on his contract, remains at PSV for now, but speculation continues to swirl surrounding his next career move.
According to Football Insider, Gakpo is currently represented by Dutch agency SEG, who also represent the likes of Ajax’s Daley Blind, Manchester City’s Sergio Gomez and Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer.
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However, the report adds that Gakpo is now looking to change agents ahead of making a transfer away from PSV in the New Year, news which will encourage Man United, Southampton and Leeds ahead of the January window.
Speaking to PSV TV after the transfer window shut, Gakpo said: “I’m glad it’s over. For me it was the first window where it was stay or go. In the last week it was looking at what was the right thing to do. I feel at home here, in my own city.
“Everyone knows how I feel here. But of course there are other things at play and I think you should have all the options. I did that too. In the end, PSV came up with a good offer that seemed to be the right choice.”
Gakpo has since made an impressive start to the new campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in 13 appearances for PSV across all tournaments, including eight goals and six assists in just seven Eredivisie matches.
