Arsenal rekindle interest in 21-goal winger but have to wait

Voetbal International report that Arsenal have rekindled their interest in Cody Gakpo, but they’ll have to be patient. If Gakpo leaves this summer, it will be after PSV’s Champions League qualifiers.

PSV begin their qualification campaign on August 2nd, with a two-legged tie against AS Monaco, but qualifying could run all the way to August 24th if PSV progress to the play-off round.

The Dutch side obviously don’t want to sell one of their best players when they have the chance to make the Champions League group stage.

But after that, Dutch football analyst Aad de Mos reports for ED (via @karthikadhaigal) that it will be difficult for PSV to fend off interest from Arsenal and Leeds United.

You’d imagine PSV’s case to keep Gakpo would be even weaker if they don’t make the Champions League. The benefits of staying in the Netherlands over joining a club like Arsenal would be few.

Football.London recently reported that Arsenal are one of several clubs interested in Gakpo this summer. The 23-year-old is keen to play in the Premier League, though his priority is regular minutes ahead of the World Cup.

David Ornstein reported early in the summer that though Gakpo’s recent contract extension didn’t contain a release clause, he has an understanding that PSV will cooperate with suitable summer offers.

Ornstein added that this has led admirers such as Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool to start holding serious conversations about a move for the player. Though there hasn’t been much progress so far.

The 23-year-old left-winger scored 21 goals and assisted 15 in 47 appearances last season.