Paul Scholes has urged Manchester United to hijack a move for Arsenal target Cody Gakpo. The Red Devils were on of the clubs interested in the PSV Einhoven attacker but purchased Antony from Ajax instead, all but ending their attempts to sign the 23-year-old.
With Jadon Sancho struggling, and Gakpo also making impressive moves at the World Cup, his stock has already risen since the summer and even more attention has come his way having scored three in three for Netherlands. The Gunners are still keen to add to their own attacking firepower, and Gakpo is one of the names on Edu's list for 2023.
The path to bring him to the Emirates stadium is far from clear though and Erik ten Hag's side pose a real threat if they chose to dip back into the market themselves. United are short of a forward after Cristiano Ronaldo had his contract terminated following his interview with Piers Morgan.
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This may well hand them an advantage when looking to the January window too. The 37-year-old's major wages are now off the books at Old Trafford and that could make room for another star player to be added.
According to Scholes, Gakpo is someone that could be a replacement. Speaking on MUTV's The Debate, he said, "I think there’s a couple of forwards they might look at. We have Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford who can both play there, but I think Marcus prefers being out wide and Antony’s injury record isn’t great.
"January might be too soon [to replace Ronaldo], they’re probably looking at next summer now, but I do think there are players out there. The lad at PSV – Gakpo – is doing really well for Netherlands at the World Cup and I think Ten Hag has been really interested in him before.
"There’s players out there for sure. January can be a tough window to do business but I hope we can do something and bring in a new centre forward."
Gakpo is a versatile player but perhaps isn't naturally the striker that United need, whereas Arsenal are looking for another flexible frontline player to compliment Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. The Dutch first have to face USA in the last-16 of the World Cup, another opportunity for fans to scout out one of Europe's top prospects.
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