Everton are reportedly preparing a formal offer to land Manchester United target Cody Gakpo as a replacement for Chelsea-bound Anthony Gordon.
The race for Cody Gakpo is heating up as the summer transfer window enters its final few days, with Everton lining up a bid for the PSV Eindhoven forward. That is according to Football Insider, which claims the Toffees are already preparing for life without Anthony Gordon and could be set to pull off a huge coup by signing in-demand Gakpo under the noses of Manchester United.
Chelsea are pushing hard to get a deal over the line for Everton winger Anthony Gordon and have thrown the kitchen sink at the Toffees with their latest bid that would see Armando Broja and Conor Gallagher head in the opposite direction. In addition, Chelsea are also said to have offered £25 million cash on top of it, bringing the value of the entire deal to around a whopping £85 million.
Everton have already lost star player in Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer. The Goodison Park faithful are growing concerned as a replacement for the Brazilian has yet to be found, with only a few days remaining in the transfer window.
Richarlison’s output in front of goal was a major reason that kept them afloat in the Premier League, and Everton might be in trouble again if they do not bring in a player capable of scoring. They have signed Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil, both of whom were known for their profligacy at their previous clubs.
Demarai Gray also blew hot and cold during spells last season, and losing Gordon could throw a spanner in their works for the season. However, Everton are unlikely to reject the lucrative deal on the table from Chelsea and have already started their search for an apt replacement. To that end, PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo’s name has surfaced on Everton’s radar.
The Netherlands international enjoyed an exceptional campaign for PSV last season, netting 21 goals and providing 15 assists from 47 appearances across all competitions, helping the Dutch outfit win the KNVB Cup. The in-demand Gakpo was also named the Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2021/22.
He has also made a strong start to the new campaign, scoring three goals and registering four assists in his first six games. Bringing in a player like Gakpo would prove to be an astute piece of business as a replacement for Gordon if the Dutchman’s form in Eredivise is anything to go by.
The 23-year-old is capable of scoring goals but also creating them, which Everton have lacked in the first few games of the season. But he will not come easily as Everton are expected to face competition from a number of other Premier League sides, notably Manchester United, who have lodged a £25 million “take-it-or-leave-it” proposal on the table for Gakpo.
Contracted until the summer of 2026 at Philips Stadium, it will be interesting to see whether Everton will jump into the bidding war with Manchester United for the Dutch international. With Manchester United on the verge of signing Antony, it will be interesting to see if Gakpo remains on their radar.