PSV Eindhoven have cooked up a ‘special financial construction’ in an attempt to keep star Cody Gakpo from joining the likes of Arsenal this summer.
That’s according to Eindhovens Dagblad, relayed by Voetbal Primeur, who cover the situation today.
Gakpo has been the star of the show for PSV this season, with a series of impressive performances and the numbers to match – 21 goals and 15 assists in 47 games in all competitions.
That’s led to suggestions a host of European clubs are looking at him, particularly English ones, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all thought to be keen.
The latter, more so than the other two, and various reports in England and the Netherlands have made it clear the 23-year-old is a player Mikel Arteta, and his team are looking at.
PSV, though, are reluctant to lose him, and Eindhovens Dagblad say they’ve thought up a plan to keep him, at least for another year.
As well as presenting a ‘good sporting plan’ to the player, they’ve proposed a financial package that would see him earn a bonus on a transfer next summer.
If Gakpo were to stay for another season and then find a club ‘willing to pay €40m’ next year, he would ‘collect a fair part’ of that transfer fee for himself.
The hope is that will incentivise the player to remain in the Netherlands this summer, even if bids arrive, particularly from Arsenal, who are an ‘important candidate’ in the race, do arrive.
Their own chances have been harmed by them failing to reach the Champions League, which was an ‘important condition’ for the winger.
