Arsenal may end up “paying over the odds” in a bid to sign PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands winger Cody Gakpo this summer.
That’s according to Dean Jones, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the Gunners’ potential transfer business, heading into the final few weeks of the window.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been linked with a move for Gakpo throughout the summer, but according to Sky Sports Manchester United are ready to make a bid of £35m for the 23-year-old this summer.
ESPN have also backed up this report, suggesting that Erik ten Hag’s side are planning to make a move for the winger following last weekend’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion.
And Jones believes that if the Gunners are to make a move for Gakpo, they will have to pay over the odds due to the competition they face from the Red Devils.
“They will realise that Manchester United’s situation means they’re probably going to have competition there, and if that’s the case, you might end up paying over the odds.
“So, I don’t think Arsenal will want to do that.
“They’re obviously burned by paying over the odds for Nicolas Pépé, so they want to be a little bit careful here.”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments
We believe that Arsenal fans will be disappointed to hear that the price for Gakpo is likely to be driven up by competition in signing the winger, but it is still a move that we believe the club should be making.
The seven-time Netherlands international, who has been dubbed as an “enormous talent” by De Telegraaf reporter Wierd Duk, scored 21 goals and provided 15 assists in 47 PSV appearances last season, according to Transfermarkt, suggesting he could be a big player for Arteta, if he was able to transfer his exceptional goal record to the Premier League.
Therefore, whilst we believe the club will likely have to pay much more than the initial £35m that United are likely to offer, we think that the north London club should be pulling out all of the stops to get this deal over the line.