PSV attacker Cody Gakpo was very close to a move to Manchester United in the summer - and it’s a switch that could still happen.
The forward was one of the stars of the Eredivisie last season, scoring a combined 19 goals while registering a further 13 assists across all competitions. Erik ten Hag made him one of United’s primary transfer targets upon his arrival, and Gakpo himself spoke recently about how close he was to joining the club.
In a recent interview with soccernews.nl, he said: "Manchester United had reported at the beginning of the transfer window. We were waiting for that a bit. The signals became more and more positive and at a certain point, I thought it might fall in that direction.
"That option faded a bit and completely last week. We worked the whole window towards it. Until last week I thought I would go to Manchester United."
Despite it seeming as though personal terms were no issue, United seemingly performed a U-turn and PSV never received a formal offer from the Red Devils, predominantly due to their £86million move for Antony. The Dutchman was initially expected to cost closer to £35m, meaning capturing him and Gakpo was a realistic option.
That proved unfeasible, and Cristiano Ronaldo ’s eventual decision to remain at Old Trafford also had a detrimental impact on the potential move. Consequently the 23-year-old remained at PSV, even despite other Premier League interest from teams such as Southampton and Leeds.
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The scintillating way in which he started this season though will have maintained United's interest and it’s looking more and more likely that it’s a move they could still look to pursue in the near future.
Continuing from where he left off in the last campaign, Gakpo has already netted seven goals and registered five assists this season, plus he bagged a goal and assist on international duty with the Netherlands last week.
It shouldn’t be a shock that according to Forbes, United are drawing up a plan to make a move for him again. There was reportedly concern at the club when Southampton and Leeds United expressed interest in the 23-year-old, however Gakpo himself opted to stay at PSV in the knowledge United boss Erik ten Hag will probably come back in for him.
The seamless transition for players like Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez from Eredivisie will have handed the club confidence that it’s a move that can be a success, while Ronaldo’s departure at the end of his contract in the summer will both free up funds and create an opening in the United attack.
Given personal teams were all but agreed between both parties in the summer, negotiations are expected to be smooth, especially given Gakpo himself is a client of the SEG agency, just like Ten Hag is.
