Arsenal and Liverpool set for transfer battle over Cody Gakpo after he ‘reaches verbal agreement to quit PSV Eindhoven’

ARSENAL and Liverpool are among the European heavyweights battling it out to sign Cody Gakpo, according to reports.

However, they face competition for his signature from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

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Cody Gakpo has attracted plenty of transfer interest among some of Europe’s top clubs[/caption]

The PSV Eindhoven winger, 22, was linked with a January exit to Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United or City before pledging his future to his boyhood club until 2026.

However, according to The Athletic, Gakpo has a verbal agreement to be allowed to hold talks with other clubs if an appropriate offer comes in.

There is not thought to be a formal release clause in the paperwork, though.

With the likes of Bukayo Saka and Mo Salah’s futures still unclear at the Emirates and Anfield respectively, Arsenal and Liverpool may move for Gakpo.

Serge Gnabry could be on his way out of Munich which could prompt the German giants to swoop for a replacement, too.

The report adds there have been no formal talks just yet but if Gakpo decides he wants to move on, the interested clubs would be ready to pounce.

An offer in excess of £35million is expected to be enough for the Eredivisie side to sell their vice-captain.

Gakpo is enjoying the best season of his career with 16 goals and 15 assists in 37 appearances so far.

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And the four-cap Netherlands international will be hoping to make his mark in England in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals – as long as he has returned from a bone bruise in time.

PSV were pitted against Leicester in the last eight, with the first leg at the King Power on April 7.