Newcastle United are keen to sign PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo during the January window, according to Foot Mercato.
Gakpo had been a lively attacking option at the Philips Stadion this season for head coach Mark van Bommel prior to his sacking in December, with the 20-year-old striking four goals and penning eight assists under the 2010 World Cup runner-up.
Van Bommel’s interim successor Ernest Faber got off to a winning start prior to the Dutch winter break by beating PEC Zwolle 4-1, with Gakpo hitting his fifth goal of the season to round out the scoring.
Gakpo has rarely been the first name on a teamsheet for PSV this season, having opened just seven of his 18 Eredivisie appearances alongside three starts in five Europa League Group Stage outings.
The versatile forward – capable of playing anywhere in attack – has been described as a Swiss army knife that appeals to Olympique Lyonnais this month, and it is said that the Ligue 1 giants have held initial discussions over a move.
PSV’s asking price of €10million (£8.5m) could freeze Lyon out of a move, though, as the Groupama Stadium natives will not sign players at any cost despite an intense interest in strengthening Rudi Garcia’s squad.
Newcastle are also on the record as being interested in Gakpo’s situation, with the forward under current until 2023 and a potential target for Stade Rennais.
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Gakpo is currently in his second full season of professional football after making his breakthrough during the 2018/19 term, when he hit two goals and six assists in all competitions.
Players making the switch from the Dutch first-tier to the Premier League have often had mixed success, with Memphis Depay a £31million purchase from PSV for Manchester United in 2015 though the winger would leave Old Trafford in 2017 after scoring seven times in 53 games.
Davy Klaassen was also an unmitigated failure at Everton during his year at Goodison Park in 2016/17 before joining Werder Bremen, having been a £24m purchase from Ajax who would almost leave on loan mid-way through the campaign.
Luis Suarez made the move successfully when he joined Liverpool from Ajax in January 2011 for £22.8m though, going on to score 82 times in 133 games and see the Anfield natives challenge for the 2013/14 Premier League trophy.
In other Newcastle United news, contract uncertainty has sparked two European giants to pay attention to a Toon star’s situation.