PSV Eindhoven manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has opened the door for Cody Gakpo to join Manchester United next month - after the Dutchman conceded that the club would not be able to deny the Netherlands star a dream January move.
Gakpo, 23, came close joining Erik ten Hag's side back in the summer, only for a £25million move to collapse in the final days of the transfer window. United have, however, retained an interest in the versatile attacker and are prepared to launch a fresh bid to lure him to the Premier League in the new year.
Having plundered three goals in five games for Netherlands at the World Cup, Gakpo is one of Europe's most coveted young players : Real Madrid are also believed to be interested in the PSV star, while Arsenal and Newcastle are admirers of the prolific forward.
Manchester United will have to fend off competition from Europe's elite if they are to prise Gakpo away from PSV, with Van Nistelrooy conceding that Gakpo is unlikely to stay put beyond the winter transfer window.
After fielding questions on Gakpo's future on Saturday, the PSV chief admitted to Voetbal International : "If I have the choice, I prefer [Gakpo to leave in] the summer, but it can also be now. You just know there comes a time when you can't say no."
Although PSV will not stand in Gakpo's way if a blockbuster offer is tabled in the coming weeks, it is understood that the Eredivisie outfit will demand at least £50m for the forward in the wake of his exploits at the World Cup. This means they stand to bank more than double the amount they quoted Manchester United back in the summer.
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Mirror Football exclusively revealed on Saturday that Ten Hag is hopeful his own personal relationship with Gakpo can help United clinch the attacker's signature ahead of Real Madrid in January. The former Ajax chief worked with Gakpo at the PSV academy more than a decade ago and is still cordial with the forward and his family to this day.
Ten Hag views Gakpo as the perfect long-term replacement to Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the club earlier this month - and the PSV ace could even land the Portuguese superstar's coveted No.7 shirt if he does head to Old Trafford next month.
Gakpo has continued to enhance his burgeoning reputation in recent months after amassing 36 goal contributions last season. Prior to the World Cup break, Gakpo had racked up a staggering 30 goal contributions in just 24 games, underlining why so many top European clubs are courting the versatile forward's signature.
