Arsenal report: Gunners could make incredible move for Cody Gakpo in January

Arsenal could be set to make a huge bid for Cody Gakpo in January.

The Gunners have been riding high this season with eight wins from their opening nine Premier League fixtures and a 100% record in the Europa League this season – but the games are coming thick and fast. Mikel Arteta wanted to bolster the squad a little more than he did and the north Londoners are still on the lookout for a wide-man.

Pedro Neto was touted towards the end of the window, while breakout Shakhtar Donetsk forward Mykhaylo Mudryk has issued a "come get me" plea to the Premier League after links with Arsenal. 

The Emirates outfit were put off from a move for PSV striker Cody Gakpo over the summer, with the Dutch club wanting to keep ahold of their talent until they secured passage to the Champions League group stage. 

Coincidentally, they failed in that pursuit and have ended up in the same Europa League group as Arsenal. PSV visit the Emirates Stadium on Thursday. 

Now, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has revealed to FIVE UK that Arsenal still have interest in Gakpo, who has registered more goal contributions than Erling Haaland this season.

According to Ornstein, Manchester United and Leeds United – both previously in the race for the 23-year-old – could be out of the picture this time. United spent big on Brazilian wing wizard Antony instead, while Leed are unable to offer European football to the player. Real Madrid are also in the race for the player.

The Dutch forward would be perfect for Arsenal for a number of reasons. Able to play right, left or centrally, he could slot in wherever and would offer the kind of fluid rotation that Arteta favours from his forwards. He is also young and inexperienced enough not to expect to start every match.

Gakpo is valued at around £31.5 million by Transfermarkt, with PSV probably seeking at least £40m for his signature. 

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli; the Gunners are said to have already made contact with the Italy international's camp. The club are also interested in Evan Ndicka in defence, while N'Golo Kante and Federico Valverde are targets, too. 

Meanwhile, one man who could be heading for the Emirates Stadium exit door is Gabriel Martinelli: there's been talk of Chelsea making a shock swoop for the winger.

In other news, Aaron Ramsdale says that the Gunners have been motivated to succeed this season by the disappointment of missing out on Champions League qualification last term.