Arsenal are reportedly the frontrunners to sign PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo this summer.
The 23-year-old was a standout performer for the Dutch giants last season, scoring 21 goals and providing 15 assists in 46 games across all tournaments.
Gakpo's impressive form is believed to have caught the eye of a number of European clubs, including Premier League trio Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United.
Despite interest from the latter two clubs, transfer insider Dean Jones, via This is Futbol, claims that Mikel Arteta's side are currently at the head of the queue to sign Gakpo this summer.
"Arsenal are favourites to sign Gakpo for sure," said Jones. "Leeds have got a lot of wide players, they've already got options that can play out wide."
© Reuters
Even though Gakpo still has four years remaining on his contract, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that an offer between £33m and £37.5m would be enough to prise the Netherlands international away from PSV.
Arsenal have already spent close to £120m on five new signings so far this summer, but Arteta is still looking to bolster his squad as they aim to qualify for the Champions League.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have both joined from Manchester City for a combined fee of around £77m, while Fabio Vieira has moved to the Emirates Stadium from Porto in a deal which could rise to £34.4m.
The Gunners have also spent a combined fee of around £8m to sign USA goalkeeper Matt Turner and Brazilian starlet Marquinhos from New England Revolution and Sao Paulo respectively.
Gakpo is now thought to be Arteta's next target before the September 1 deadline, with the Spaniard looking to recruit a wide forward after missing out on Raphinha to Barcelona earlier in the window.
© Reuters
Earlier this summer, Gakpo refused to rule out a potential summer exit from PSV, telling De Telegraaf: "Anything can happen this summer. I will now calmly compare all the options and see what is best for me. Staying another is also an option.
"It would be a shame if I went somewhere where I wouldn't get a job at all and I could miss the World Cup. I'll keep that in mind."
In a separate interview for FourFourTwo earlier this year, Gakpo also expressed his desire to play in the Premier League, telling reporters: "The Premier League is a big league. Virgil van Dijk plays there with Liverpool so I like to watch them.
"We 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."
Gakpo has spent his entire career with PSV and has won three domestic trophies, including the KNVB Beker last season.
Oliver Thomas
