PSV coach wants Man Utd-target Cody Gakpo to stay

Jacque Talbot

• 21 Dec 2022 13:25 GMT
• 3 min read

PSV Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has stated his ambition to keep Cody Gakpo until the summer window.

Manchester United have been heavily linked to the Netherlands star - with his brilliant display for the national side during the World Cup whipping up even more of a frenzy.

The 23-year-old is thought to be one of manager Erik ten Hag’s number one targets, as he looks to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo in the attacking department.

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Gakpo looked set to leave his current side over the summer, with the likes of Man Utd, Leeds, Southampton and Everton keen on him. But the move never transpired and he remained playing in the Eredivisie.

It looks as though the attacker will be leaving sooner rather than later - with former Red Devils striker Van Nistelrooy saying that he hopes the player sees out the season with him.

Ruud's reservations

When the coach was asked about the prospect of Gakpo's future, he replied: “If I have the choice, I prefer the summer, but it can also be now, you know there comes a time when you can't say no.

“It is wonderful how he has showcased himself. I enjoyed watching him [at the World Cup], he deserves this because of how he has behaved, how he has continued to work and perform.

“I was able to help him from very close by and that makes me proud. I'll give him his path when it comes.”

Gakpo has clocked an impressive record of 12 goals and 14 assists so far this season for PSV across the league and in the Europa League.

The Eredivisie is not set to restart until the New Year, leaving plenty of time for things to be ironed out.

FootballTransfers values Gakpo at around €21.4million to €35.7million using its ETVmodel.

It is thought that PSV want somewhere north of €40milllion for the player.