PSV Eindhoven director Marcel Brands hinted the Eredivisie side “would have to sell” forward Cody Gakpo “if there were certain offers” for the player.

Saints were heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old on transfer deadline day, with the likes of Leeds United and Manchester United also reportedly interested in securing his signature.

The Netherlands international stayed put in the Dutch top flight after the window slammed shut this summer.

But Brands has now hinted Gakpo could be prised away from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side.

Speaking about Gakpo to Voetbal International, Brands said: “I can say, with my hand on my heart, that there has been no offer for Cody to which the management or the supervisory board have said. We must do this.

“We did state that if there were certain offers, we would have to sell.

“(This is) not only from a financial point of view, but also because agreements were made with the Gakpo camp before my time.”

Born in Eindhoven, Gakpo has scored eight goals and registered six assists from just seven games in the Eredivisie this season.

He has won seven senior caps for Netherlands, scoring on two occasions.

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