Arsenal landing target Gakpo may now be much more likely – TBR View

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Cody Gakpo was potentially the first player named as Arsenal’s top target this summer, with reports in mid-May claiming that Mikel Arteta was really keen to sign the PSV Eindhoven star.

Obviously, we are several months down the line. And Gakpo is yet to move to the Emirates. And with that, some may assume that the Gunners are no longer that keen on a deal.

But it does appear that Arsenal are planning to sign a new forward before the deadline passes. Reports this week claimed that they are ready to step up their interest in Pedro Neto with Nicolas Pepe close to joining Nice on loan.

Wolves do not want to sell Neto. So Arsenal will have other targets in mind. And perhaps their path to Gakpo’s signature has now become a lot clearer.

Arsenal target Cody Gakpo facing uncertain future after PSV defeat

More recent reports suggested that PSV were only prepared to consider selling Gakpo once they had faced Rangers in their Champions League play-off tie. Obviously, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men would have hoped that reaching the group-stages would boost their hopes of keeping Gakpo.

However, it is Rangers who got through. They won 1-0 in The Netherlands on Wednesday to edge the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

And with that, PSV will surely be expecting a raft of offers for Gakpo before the window shuts.

It will be interesting to see whether Arsenal make a move should they miss out on Neto. He will not come cheap. Previous reports suggested that the 23-year-old could cost £38 million.

His admirers will hope that PSV’s defeat weakens their position. And it will also help if Gakpo is now ready to make a move.

Neto may now be the top name on Arsenal’s wishlist. But following PSV’s defeat on Wednesday, you would imagine that it may not be too long before the links between Arsenal and Gakpo start up again.