Rangers' Champions League chances were dealt a blow when play-off rivals PSV Eindhoven put a block on the sale of £50million golden boy Cody Gakpo. Leeds have opened the bidding for the 23-year-old Netherlands international, with sources in Holland expecting Manchester United and Arsenal to weigh in with offers of their own this week.
But Record Sport understands Gakpo has been told his sale will not be sanctioned under any circumstances before the qualification double-header with Rangers has been settled. The news was delivered to him in the immediate aftermath of the win over Monaco.
Gakpo is rated as one of the hottest young attacking talents in the Dutch top flight and Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag is believed to be pushing hard for a deal to be tied up. But United have also been informed Gakpo’s future will not be thrashed out one way or the other until PSV know their own European fate.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men secured a £40m winner-takes-all two-legged clash with Rangers on Tuesday with a thrilling extra-time win over Monaco at the Philips Stadium – while van Bronckhorst’s side completed a storming comeback over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Speaking ahead of those games, Gakpo admitted he could be tempted to turn down megabucks offers from England. He said: “We must first focus on the second leg against Monaco and try to make it to the Champions League. Then it is more likely I will stay. I don’t think I have said anywhere I am leaving, so there is a chance I will stay.”
