Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan has tipped Manchester United to beat Premier League rivals in the race for PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo.
The 23-year-old has recently emerged as a potential target for the Red Devils, while the likes of Arsenal, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest have also been credited with an interest.
Gakpo excelled in front of goal for the Dutch outfit last season, scoring 21 times and registering 15 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions.
The Netherlands international has already made a bright start to the new campaign, contributing with three goals and two assists in four matches, including a brace in PSV's opening Eredivisie win over FC Emmen on Monday.
Gakpo is regarded as one of the brightest prodigies in the Dutch top flight, and Van der Kraan has compared the 6ft 2in forward with former Arsenal stars Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie.
"Gakpo is a tall player, with speed," Van der Kraan told Sky Sports News. "He was voted Dutch Player of the Year by his fellow professional players and everyone in Eindhoven will be sad to lose him. He combines speed with a good left foot and skills.
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"I always refer to Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie – he's not at that level yet. But they came into the Premier League as left wingers and were turned into strikers under Arsene Wenger and did very well. He is slowly being transitioned into a striker because he has had some good coaching from [Ruud] van Nistelrooy."
Gakpo, who is valued at around £35m, still has four years remaining on his contract with PSV, but with several top English clubs believed to be interested in his services, a proposed move to the Premier League could be too good to turn down.
Van der Kraan believes that Gakpo has the right profile to play under United boss Erik ten Hag and he feels that the Red Devils would be the forward's preferred destination should he decide to leave PSV this summer.
"He is the kind of player Erik Ten Hag likes because he likes to play with wingers," Van der Kraan added. "For every Dutch player who goes to play in England, it takes time to adapt. With that in mind, I'm a bit concerned because Gakpo is outstanding in all the big Dutch big matches and in Europe.
"But playing in and out, I'm a bit concerned. I think eventually he will eventually be the top man at a big club and I could see him featuring for Manchester United but there are other top clubs in the bidding for wanting him.
"There are around five Premier League clubs after Gakpo. But if the choice is there, he will go to Manchester United."
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A recent report claims that PSV will not entertain offers for Gakpo until their Champions League playoff round tie against Rangers is completed later this month.
Gakpo, meanwhile, has recently suggested that he is "more likely" to stay with PSV if they qualify for the Champions League group stage.
"We must first focus on and try to make it to the Champions League," Gakpo told ESPN. "Then it is more likely that I will stay. I don't think I have said anywhere that I am leaving, so there is definitely a chance that I will stay.
"I'm open for a cup of coffee with the management - or coffee for them and water for me. We'll see how it goes."
Gakpo is set to be involved in PSV's Eredivisie clash against Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday before facing Rangers in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie at Ibrox next Tuesday.
Oliver Thomas
