Former Manchester United striker and current PSV Eindhoven head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has, on Saturday, hinted at the departure of in-demand attacker Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo, of course, has seen his name cast firmly into the spotlight over the course of the last couple of weeks.
This comes with the explosive wide-man having built on a scintillating opening to the campaign at club level by announcing himself firmly onto the world stage, too.
Across appearances in each of the Netherlands’ World Cup group stage fixtures, Gakpo clinched a spot atop the Golden Boot charts, courtesy of a trio of goals.
Cody Gakpo scores in the World Cup group A Netherlands (NED) – Ecuador (ECU) match on November 25th, 2022, at the Khalifa International Stadium. (Alamy Stock Photo)
The already rampant speculation surrounding his future beyond January, in turn, has only continued to mount.
More than one outlet on the continent even went as far as to suggest that Gakpo is all set to make the move to England, after the powers that be at Manchester United struck a big-money deal with PSV Eindhoven for his services.
Speaking to the media late on Saturday evening, Ruud van Nistelrooy was drawn on Gakpo’s future, specifically the chances of his attacking talisman departing during the January transfer window.
And PSV’s boss point-blank refused to deny the chances of as much, in responding that:
“There comes a time when you can’t say no anymore.”
Van Nistelrooy on Cody Gakpo and his potential transfer in January: “There comes a time when you can’t say no anymore”, tells @marcotimmer. 🔴🇳🇱 #MUFC
Expectation is for PSV Eindhoven to let him leave in January. pic.twitter.com/4IdC8CtJJV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2022
Croatia 2-1 Morocco: Match report, player ratings, fan reaction & more
Manchester United blow as transfer target now ‘too expensive’