“Best for him” – Two calls for player to ignore Arsenal transfer this summer in World Cup year

Over the course of the past few months, we have seen almost incessant calls for Cody Gakpo to make a move to Arsenal.

It’s been widely reported the Gunners have been interested in the Dutchman, who can play either up front or down the left of the attack, but there are some who still believe the transfer comes too soon for the 22-year-old.

A big reason for this is the fact this is a World Cup year, and the PSV Eindhoven needs stability if he is to make Louis van Gaal’s squad for the competition.

That, and his niggling injuries to his ankle, mean that a move to Arsenal could be dangerous to his chances, while remaining the star in the Eredivisie could almost guarantee him a spot.

This is according to Aad de Mos, talking to Eindhovens Dagblad, relayed by PSV Fans.

He said: “If I were his agent, I would tell him that it’s best for him to stay for another year. Then he can go to the World Cup and then it will be interesting for both club and player to make a transfer in the summer. He can certainly make another jump, so an extra year at PSV would not be wrong.”

This idea is backed up by AD journalist Maarten Wijffels, who spoke to the AD Voetbalpodcast, also relayed by PSV Fans.

He said: “Gakpo just has to be completely fit and stay fit for a season, or play 80% of the matches. Also have double figures with assists and goals, experience a World Cup. Then he is really ready to make a nice transfer abroad. Suppose he goes to Arsenal this summer and then misses a number of matches in September due to injury. Then you are immediately behind.”

Gakpo has 19 goals and 15 assists in 44 appearances this season for PSV, which is exactly why Arsenal will have taken an interest.

That being said, there is a time for everything, and the belief appears to be that the forward needs to wait that little bit longer before making the jump, whether it be to the Emirates or elsewhere.