As speculation about his future continues, Manchester United target Cody Gakpo recently disclosed negotiations with Erik ten Hag’s team.
This season, the PSV star has made a significant impact in Dutch football. He has carried that success over to Europe, where in five Europa League games, he has scored three goals and contributed three assists.
The 23-year-old was chosen by Louis van Gaal for the Netherlands World Cup team and has scored in each of his team’s three group stage games.
On Tuesday, Gakpo scored his most recent goal during the opening period of his team’s match against Qatar.
The striker received possession of the ball outside the penalty area and then drove past multiple Qatari defenders before firing a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Gakpo was obviously overjoyed with the strike, which tied him for first place among 2022 World Cup goal scorers with Kylian Mbappe of France and Enner Valencia of Ecuador.
While a summer transfer to Leeds fell through and may maybe be revived in January, he has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham domestically.
But as the club’s director of football confirmed, PSV also received a bid for Manchester United, Marcel Brands said to ESPN NL (via Tribal Football). The Red Devils are “ready to finish the arrangement with PSV,” according to Italian writer Rudy Galletti, who made the claim earlier in November.
Later, the forward himself disclosed how nearly that summer’s plan was carried out.
Gakpo talks about Man United
Gakpo disclosed to The Times that he had discussed a transfer to United with Erik ten Hag in the summer but had ultimately chosen against going to Leeds and Southampton, both of which had made late offers for the player.
He said, “I was on the verge of leaving. At Manchester United, I had a couple conversations with Erik ten Hag.
“In the end, the transaction fell through, which is unfortunate for me and my professional growth as well as for Manchester United, one of the top sports organizations in the world. But also for PSV, as a player being transferred to Manchester United is advantageous for the team.
It came to an end a week or so before the transfer window closed, and during that time I had to choose between Leeds and Southampton.
“I stayed in the end, although it was a tough time,”
According to rumours, clubs may just need to offer €50 million to secure the move of Gakpo. The player has previously spoken with United, so the Red Devils may be in a better position, but only time will tell.
