Cody Gakpo remains a January transfer target for Arsenal but Edu and Mikel Arteta must step up up their negotiations with the Dutchmen's preference being a move to Manchester United. Erik ten Hag attempted to bring Gakpo to United in the latter stages of the summer transfer window but a move never materialised.
Excellent domestic form and World Cup displays have seen that interest from United and ten Hag remain with Arsenal also keeping tabs on Gakpo. From 34 appearances across six different competitions this season, the 23-year-old has has been involved in 36 goals.
Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who saw his contract terminated by mutual consent, ten Hag has been asked on numerous occasions about Gakpo and while the 52-year-old has always remained coy about any deal occurring involving Gakpo specifically, he has confirmed that a striker will be on his January wish list.
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United aren't the only club in need of attacking reinforcements with the Gunners losing Gabriel Jesus to injury likely to ramp up any planned negotiations for forwards to join in January. Mykhaylo Mudryk is one option for Arsenal, while Dusan Vlahovic has also emerged as a possible January acquisition, despite snubbing the Gunners for Juventus in the last January transfer window.
Gakpo is also wanted in north London, however United seem to the club in pole position for his signature after 90min reported that United's hierarchy had green-lit the decision to move for the Dutch international, as per ten Hag's wishes.
The Gunners have now suffered another blow in their pursuit of Gakpo with Fabrizio Romano revealing that the 23-year-olds desired destination, as it was in the summer, is United.
PSV would likely allow their star asset to leave the club for £50million and with Arsenal aware of his price tag, a bidding war could happen in January between the Gunners and United, although the advantage now clearly sits with the latter.
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