Reports are claiming that a minimum of 10 Premier League clubs sent scouts to watch PSV play Ajax on Sunday. 90min claims that Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United all had representatives in Amsterdam for the match. These big teams were also joined by scouts from Everton, Leeds, Leicester, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Wolves.
Both Eredivisie clubs have multiple highly-rated players that teams around Europe are eyeing. However, it appears as if PSV’s Cody Gakpo was perhaps the main draw on the evening.
Gakpo, 23, is a talented winger that can play anywhere across the front three. The Netherlands international already has an incredible nine goals and 12 assists in just 13 league matches so far this season. He has also performed well in the Europa League as well. Gakpo racked up five goal involvements in as many matches in the competition.
The PSV star previously revealed that he nearly moved to Manchester United in the summer. “I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United,” Gakpo told The Times. United, however, eventually opted to sign former Ajax winger Antony instead.
As the United deal failed to materialize, Gakpo also could have gone to fellow Premier League clubs Leeds and Southampton. However, these options also fell through and Gakpo stayed at PSV.
Premier League scouts show out to watch Ajax, PSV young stars
Along with Gakpo, Edson Alvarez, Mohammed Kudus, Ibrahim Sangare, and Xavi Simons are all also attracting interest from Premier League teams. Alvarez was a Chelsea target during the summer’s transfer window. The defensive midfielder is a Mexico international and could eventually depart Ajax for around $50 million.
Sangare has reportedly been targeted by a host of clubs including Barcelona, Liverpool, and West Ham. Everton and Borussia Dortmund also have supposed interest in Kudus as well. Arsenal fans got a glimpse of Simons during their Europa League group matches against PSV this fall. The 19-year-old midfielder looks to be a future star in the sport.
PSV eventually won the match against Ajax at the weekend. Goals from Luuk de Jong and Erick Gutierrez sank the reigning Dutch champions.
