Manchester United are growing increasingly confident they can sign Cody Gakpo, Arsenal are ready to sell five players to fund their January transfer plans, while Monday’s Transfer Gossip has big news on the future of Lionel Messi.
CODY GAKPO REFUSES TO RULE OUT MAN UTD TRANSFER
Man Utd look increasingly likely to land Cody Gakpo in the January window with the player opening up on growing speculation.
The PSV forward is emerging as one of the world’s most in-demand stars after a stellar run of form. Indeed, Gakpo has 15 goals and 14 assists to his name already this season from 23 appearances for the Dutch club.
And the 23-year-old is well on the way to beating his total from last season of 21 goals and 15 assists; form which saw him named the Eredivisie Player of the Year.
As such, it’s easy to see why United are such big admirers of Gakpo. They came close to signing him in the summer, only to shelve their interest with the Antony deal gathering pace. But Erik ten Hag has continued to follow him closely, with a January raid looking increasingly likely.
Now it seems PSV have zero chance of keeping him. And the only real question is where he will end up, with reports indicating Liverpool are looking to hijack the bid.
However, the strongest links remain to Manchester United. And Gakpo has opened up on the speculation, having been questioned again while on World Cup duty.
Cody Gakpo is gone, claims pundit
He insists his focus remains on helping the Netherlands go as far as they can at the World Cup. However, he is refusing to rule out a move to United with the January window opening in just 34 days.
“Right now I’m busy with the Dutch team. I’ll see what happens in the winter. In football, anything is possible,” Gakpo said, via the Daily Mail.
“I’m focused now on the World Cup. It’s always nice to hear but I just focus here and do my best. I don’t get shy about the rumours. But it’s a team sport, it’s not about one person.
“I prefer it to be about the team. It’s nice things that people write, but I’m not too concerned with that. I’m not surprised.
“I know what I’m capable of but it’s always a challenge to reach your highest level, that’s possible. I’m not there yet, I can improve in a lot of things.”
Those rumours look to be gathering more pace in the Netherlands too.
And a Dutch pundit, former player Hans Kraay Jr, admits PSV accept he’ll be ‘gone’ when the January window opens.
Speaking to Voetbal Primeur, he sees no future for Gakpo in the Eredivisie.
He said: “Gakpo is gone. PSV is not going to keep him, and can no longer keep him.
“Gakpo will play in the Premier League. The chance that it will be Manchester United is now a lot bigger, because Cristiano Ronaldo is gone. They have even more money available.”
ARSENAL READY TO SELL FIVE STARS TO FUND MUDRYK TRANSFER
Arsenal are reportedly willing to listen to offers for five players in the January window as Mikel Arteta streamlines his squad.
The Gunners are riding high at the top of the Premier League and are looking for reinforcements in January to further their title quest.
We revealed recently that the club are looking to make at least two new signing come January, with an even bigger deal also on the table.
And with Mykhaylo Mudryk, together with a new midfielder, right at the top of their wishlist, any January dealings will set Arsenal back huge money.
However, the Gunners may reportedly look to fund any signings by listening to offers for several unwanted stars.
And now a list compiled by the Daily Express looks at five players they could look to cash in on.
Per the article, the Gunners are open to offers on record-signing Nicolas Pepe.
The French winger is currently on a season’s loan at Nice and has not been missed. Arsenal will have to take a major hit on the £72m they signed him for, with a fee of around £25m more likely for the Ivory Coast star.
Reiss Nelson to leave Arsenal
He might not be the only winger departing either with the Express suggesting Reiss Nelson may finally depart. His deal expires at the end of the season, so Arsenal won’t make much from him in January.
They also suggest Cedric Soares is looking to leave after falling down the pecking order. Ben White’s superb form at right-back has limited the Portuguese to just four appearances.
And he could be joined out the exit door by another youth product in Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The 25-year-old is currently on loan at Southampton and could make the move permanent.
There are also doubts over Albert Sambi Lokonga too. And the Express speculates he too may be sold if a new midfielder arrives.
LIONEL MESSI CLOSING ON INTER MIAMI MOVE
Lionel Messi is close to agreeing a switch to Inter Miami, according to a variety of sources.
The Argentina superstar will be out of contract at PSG come the end of the season and remains a man in demand. Now 35, the likes of former club Barcelona are also considering an emotional reunion.
But the strongest links come from MLS franchise Inter Miami.
And now The Times claims Messi will agree a move there in a deal making him the highest-paid player in MLS history.
Messi is eligible to sign a pre-contract with the Florida-based side in just 34 days when the January window opens.
And he will be managed by Phil Neville when he makes the switch to the MLS!
Messi, though, will see out the season with PSG and is determined to finally help them win the Champions League. The Ligue 1 giants face Bayern Munich in the last 16 when the competition resumes in February.
