Ryan Babel urged Cody Gakpo to snub a move to Manchester United, citing suitability, while insisting Arsenal or Liverpool could suit him.
Cody Gakpo remains one of the critical stars for the Netherlands at the World Cup and has excelled at the club level with PSV this season. The forward has 18 goals, as many assists for club and country this term, and is naturally in conversation regarding a transfer away from the Eredivisie side.
Manchester United remains heavily linked with a move and are willing to pay the best price to sign the coveted forward. Erik ten Hag has made up his mind regarding Gakpo and even wanted him late in the summer window. The Red Devils ended up signing Antony from Ajax.
While reports insisted Gakpo might have stayed put in order to play regularly ahead of the World Cup, the January window might offer another opportunity to depart PSV. Manchester United are boosted by recent developments with their chase and the player’s situation.
As things stand, Manchester United remains the favourite, but other clubs are interested in his signature. Arsenal were monitoring Gakpo, and even Liverpool have remained linked.
Former Liverpool star Ryan Babel has urged Gakpo to snub any advances from Manchester United and probably eye a move to Liverpool or even Arsenal. His comments on Soccer News stated the Red Devils’ style might not suit the PSV Star, who is better off at a club like the Gunners or the Merseysiders.
Babel said, “Of course, I’m just an outsider, but I don’t know if United would be the right team for Cody Gakpo. I’m thinking more of a team like Arsenal – or maybe even Liverpool. But I think Arsenal best suits his playing style: all young footballers together, no real star player, and a good, young coach who has also been a footballer himself (Mikel Arteta, ed.).”
“At United, the atmosphere is different, a bit tense and just… different, and that could affect him. But again, I am, of course, ‘just’ an outsider, so I will only judge from what I see and my own experience in the Premier League. Players have to decide for themselves what they do, but Arsenal would suit him.”
As things stand, Manchester United are favourites to sign Gakpo and may get their man as soon as January. As for Arsenal and Liverpool, both have shown interest in the past but could move on to other targets as they know the player’s intentions well, who may prefer to come to Old Trafford.
