Real Madrid News
Prolific Eredivisie star wants big move to Real Madrid or Barcelona, open to January switch
PSV’s 23-year-old winger Cody Gakpo is stirring the European market with his scintillating displays in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie. And as it turns out, the youngster, who has already netted 13 times while proving ten assists in 16 official games this season, is not ruling out a transfer in January either.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, although the 23-year-old is still being chased by the Premier League side Leeds United, his wish is to make a move to a ‘bigger’ club like Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Among his preferred options are Manchester United, Manchester City and also the German champions Bayern Munich. It is further claimed that the Dutch international moving in January is very much on the table.
As of today, though, there is no agreement in place with any of the mentioned teams, including Leeds United, who are highly interested in his acquisition.
It must be remembered that Gakpo was considered to be a backup option for Manchester United back during the summer transfer window when they were still chasing Antony’s signature.
Once the Brazilian was acquired, United’s interest cooled, but there were other Premier League clubs like Southampton and Everton, who were keen while Leeds are still continuing their efforts to sign him. Arsenal, too, are among the winger’s suitors.
Recent reports indicated that sources close to the situation had claimed Real Madrid had emerged as a possible destination for Gakpo, and it now seems like the winger, too, harbours ambitions of a move to a top club like the reigning champions of Spain and Europe.
Gakpo, who has been terrorising the opposition defences this season, wants to play for a team that could fulfil his ambitions of playing at the highest level.
As for the links to Real, a January moves looks off the table. But a potential swoop next summer could be a possibility as Los Blancos will bid goodbye to Marco Asensio while Eden Hazard’s time at the club could be coming to an end as well.
It is astounding that despite being the biggest club in Spain, Real Madrid do not have many Spanish players to show for it.
Los Blancos do indeed boast of a special diversity in the dressing room, but their lack of locally trained players could pose problems according to MARCA.
The Spanish outlet confirms that UEFA does not mandate the inclusion of any minimum number of locally grown players for a club. However, the Spanish federation stipulates that a club in Spain must boast of at least eight players who meet a specific set of conditions.
Of the aforementioned eight candidates, there must be at least four players who have spent three seasons or 36 months at the club between the ages of 15 and 21.
Currently, only Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Mariano make up the required number on that front.
The problem, however, arises with the condition for the other four players in the list of eight. RFEF stipulates that the second set of four players must have completed at least 36 months in teams attached to the federation of Spain between the ages of 15 and 21.
Only Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos tick the aforementioned box. However, all four players have uncertain futures at the club and are well-placed to depart in the summer.
There are thus big decisions to be taken over the transfer strategy for June. Real Madrid can work ways to ship all four players out, it would require the re-integration of players like Sergio Arribas, Miguel Gutierrez or Fran Garcia to ensure the fulfilment of the criteria.
With both Vallejo and Odriozola seemingly frozen out of Ancelotti’s plans, their departures from Santiago Bernabeu appear inevitable. Thus, the management could be forced to renew one of Asensio or Ceballos come June.
