Cody Gakpo has been waiting for a transfer to Manchester United for a 'long time.'
That's according to former PSV Eindhoven technical director John de Jong, who claims that the exciting forward nearly moved to Old Trafford in the last week of the summer transfer window before the deal collapsed.
United were on the hunt for a wide attacker in the summer to bolster Erik ten Hag's options but the club eventually splashed out £80million to snag Antony from Ajax. However, the club may be forced to add yet more reinforcements in forward areas in January after Cristiano Ronaldo's contract was mutually terminated last week in the aftermath of his explosive interview.
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Ronaldo's exit has left Ten Hag with only Marcus Rashford and the perenially injured Anthony Martial as striker options which may see the club enter the market in January despite their plans to wait until the summer. Gakpo primarily plays as a winger for PSV but has impressed playing up front in the World Cup, scoring a fine goal in each of Netherlands' two fixtures.
De Jong, who was sacked in September for a "breach of confidence" with the board, told NOS that he believes United is the club Gakpo wants.
"Cody has been waiting a long time for the transfer to Manchester United and it seemed to be coming," he said. A week before the end of the transfer window that fell through. After that he had two options in the Premier League, but you never know how that will turn out.
"He made the choice himself. In the end I did have a discussion with the board, whether or not to sell. I think it is really better for him that he stayed. I think it’s very nice how he is developing. He continues the line he started at PSV this season.
"He is very effective and decisive. Also at the World Cup. I really enjoy watching it. It is especially great for Cody Gakpo that he is doing so well, but ultimately also for PSV and Dutch football."
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