Arsenal find £33m solution to striker problem but Louis Van Gaal could scupper transfer

Signing a striker in the summer is a priority for Arsenal, but their plans to sign PSV’s Cody Gakpo may now have been ruined.

The Netherlands international has been in flying form in the Eredivisie so far this season with eight goals and 13 assists in 20 appearances. Dutch news outlet ED, via Sport Witness, have reported that a fee PSV will only accept an offer over £33million for his services, though they do expect to receive offers 'they cannot refuse'.

Arsenal were linked to Gakpo in the January transfer window but a deal never materialised, though the Gunners are thought to remain keen to bring the 22-year-old to the Emirates Stadium says ED.

But Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal may have scuppered those plans by implying that Gakpo should be playing as a winger to show himself in the best light and that he will only be picked for the international squad if he is in good form.

As per Voetbal International, Van Gaal explained: “He’s played in striker a few times, but it didn’t fare so well for him.

“I had a conversation with him about where he could play, and we discussed that. That will remain private for now, but there are positions I think he can play there. That depends on his development and his form, because it is not the case that you get a place in the Dutch national team without showing that form.”

With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract at the end of the season, Mikel Arteta will only have young prospect Folarin Balogun as a striker option. Thus, if Gakpo was to sign for the Gunners then one would assume that he is deemed a no.9 option – with Gabriel Martinelli already their regular left winger that doesn’t look for replacing.

If an offer does arrive for Gakpo then he may have to