Southampton have agreed a transfer fee with PSV Eindhoven for Dutch winger Cody Gakpo, and have also agreed personal terms on a long-term contract with the player, according to Radio Solent reporter Adam Blackmore.
Southampton Agree Terms for Transfer of Cody Gakpo
So, Gakpo …#SaintsFc have agreed a transfer fee with PSV for Cody Gakpo and agreed terms with the player
Now the ball is in PSV’s court to decide to sell …but fees agreed
— Adam Blackmore (@AdamBlackmore) August 31, 2022
Patience Pays Off for Southampton As They Look to Strengthen
Blackmore reports that Southampton will be breaking their transfer record to get the deal done, a sure sign of intent for Ralph Hasenhuttl. Earlier, The Athletic had reported that Southampton were still working on the deal, and it looks like their patience has paid off.
Read More: Southampton to Win the Race for Manchester United Target
Gakpo graduated through the youth ranks in Eindhoven, making his debut for the senior team in 2018. Since then, he has gone on to make 143 first-team appearances for the Dutch giants, scoring 46 goals in the process.
In the 2021/22 campaign, he managed to notch a very impressive 21 goals in 46 matches across all competitions. The Netherlands international has begun this season in just as scintillating form, netting four times already in just his first eight matches, although he was unable to prevent PSV from dropping out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage.
#SaintsFC scout Piet Buter tells De Telegraaf that Southampton would be an ‘ideal’ destination for Cody Gakpo.
“But we think it’s good for an Eredivisie player to make an intermediate step at a club like Southampton; and then take the step to the real top level." pic.twitter.com/xeliVEJ6CH
— Southampton Page (@SouthamptonPage) August 31, 2022
Gakpo Had Previously Interested Manchester United
The Athletic had previously reported that Manchester United had considered a move for Gakpo. The Old Trafford club have, though, since gone on to sign Ajax forward Antony in an eye-watering £95 million deal and look to be closed for business for the rest of the window.
However, it is this form that could make the Red Devils rue failing to land him, despite the arrival of Antony. This, along with the fact that former Manchester United manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is his current coach, make it all the more a blow for Ten Hag.
Read More: Every Premier League Transfer Completed in Summer 2022
Southampton have been busy this summer, signing up six players already, with Armel Bella-Kotchap, Romeo Lavia – who scored against Chelsea in Tuesday night’s victory – Joe Aribo, Sekou Mara, Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis all signing up to be a part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad.
