The Dutch football star, who earns around £130,000 per week, has invested in property in five cities in his homeland through his company Samaritan. He charges monthly rents of up to €875 (£754) for a damp basement flat with mold, and €850 (£733) for a tiny apartment. Both properties have been criticized for their conditions and are rented at higher rates than the area average of €560 (£500) per month.
Gakpo, listed as the sole shareholder of Samaritan, has faced increasing criticism at home after serious allegations were made about his property portfolio. His properties in Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Roermond, Weert, and Geleen have been under scrutiny for structural problems, vermin infestations, and substandard repairs. Pictures taken by a regional newspaper show evidence of serious neglect in several of the buildings, including dead mice, mouldy walls, and loose cables.
It was reported that an employee of Elevate Finance, who deals with tenants’ issues and rent collection, acknowledged an infestation of mice in the properties. Liverpool FC, where Gakpo plays, considers the matter a personal business issue for Gakpo and has declined to comment. Furious residents have criticized the properties, calling them “not fit for human habitation” while expressing concerns about the lack of effective pest control.
Responsibility for the upkeep of the player’s properties reportedly lies with the management company acting on his behalf. Despite Gakpo’s public image as a devout Christian and his leadership of a Bible group in the Dutch squad, the criticism surrounding his property portfolio has led to widespread public scrutiny and controversy. The footballer’s agent has declined to comment on the issue, indicating that they view it as a personal business matter for Gakpo.
