Cody Gakpo says he likes Arsenal 'a lot' and looked up to Thierry Henry

Reported Arsenal target Cody Gakpo has told The Sun about his admiration for the Gunners.

The 22-year-old has also revealed he looked up to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as a youngster.

Several Dutch outlets have reported that the Gunners are eyeing Gakpo ahead of the summer transfer window.

ED claimed last week that Arsenal are prepared to really push the boat out to secure the PSV star’s signature.

Voetbal International then reported that the Gunners are actually leading the race for Gakpo.

However, Arsenal aren’t the only club apparently hoping to land the talented attacker.

“Cody Gakpo has a lot of admirers around Europe,” Fabrizio Romano recently told Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.

“Arsenal asked information for him… there are many clubs monitoring him.

“Liverpool sent their scouts many times to watch this boy.”

“I looked up to Henry”

However, it looks as though Gakpo has a soft spot for Arsenal, which could bode well in their pursuit of the player.

“The Premier League is a big league,” he told The Sun.

“We (the Eredivisie) are not the same kind of league.

“But I think we try to look at the Prem and learn about it.

“Everybody wants to play one time in the Prem.

“I don’t favour one team but I like Arsenal a lot.

“I looked up to Henry when I was younger because he was a tall guy who played on the wing.”

The Athletic recently reported that Gakpo extended his PSV contract until 2026.

But although he does not have a release clause, PSV understand that he expects to go if a suitable offer comes in.

This appears to have put several clubs on alert.

The Athletic suggested that Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all accelerated their interest.

The report added that the asking price could potentially be as high as £42million.

However, offers of £35million are apparently being discussed amongst his admirers.

Gakpo has registered an impressive 17 goals and 15 assists from 38 PSV appearances in all competitions this term.

He also has four Netherlands caps and one Oranje goal to his name.

Former Netherlands midfielder Theo Janssen recently praised Gakpo.

He told Dutch publication NOS: “That boy has everything.

“Fine feeling for the ball, a good through ball, dribbles and is strong between the lines.

“I really enjoy him. He is going to be an important player for the Orange squad.

“He is ready to be in the base of the Orange squad. I would definitely draft him.

“There are other options, but they are not as effective as him.”