Manchester United are reportedly determined to sign PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo in the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old Netherlands international has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford following an impressive spell in front of goal for club and country over the last 18 months.
Gakpo scored 21 goals and registered 15 assists in 47 appearances for PSV across all competitions last season, and he has since recorded 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 games so far this campaign.
The highly-rated attacker also enjoyed a productive spell at the 2022 World Cup with the Netherlands, netting in all three group games against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar.
Now that Cristiano Ronaldo has departed the club, Man United are on the lookout for a replacement, with Gakpo believed to be one of four attackers on Erik ten Hag's shortlist.
© Reuters
Benfica's Goncalo Ramos, AC Milan's Rafael Leao and Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix are also said to be of interest to the Red Devils.
However, according to talkSPORT, Man United are determined to lure Gakpo to Old Trafford in January and the club's hierarchy are prepared to back Ten Hag when the transfer window reopens.
The Red Devils are believed to be the only club who have made contact with PSV to discuss a possible January deal for Gakpo, with the likes of Leeds United, Southampton, Arsenal and Real Madrid also interested in his services.
PSV would allegedly be willing to cash in on the attacker if they receive an offer of £50m, a figure Man United may be prepared to pay considering their £173m transfer budget.
Former Man United striker and current PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy recently admitted that Gakpo could leave the club in January, telling reporters: "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."
© Reuters
Gakpo himself, meanwhile, has revealed that he will consider a potential switch to Old Trafford if he receives an offer from the Premier League giants in the New Year.
"[The summer transfer window] was a tough period. I learned from that. I'm going to do it differently. What comes, that comes," Gakpo told Dutch news outlet NRC. "Suppose you want to go from RKC [Waalwijk] to PSV, but that club is not coming. Then you can panic.
"I thought about Manchester United, but when that didn't happen, I couldn't remember. And I started to doubt. Leeds United did come. Should I go there?
"I haven't heard from Manchester United yet. When they come, I'll think about it. I also seek the help of God in these decisions."
Gakpo has spent his entire career with boyhood club PSV and he is under contract at the Philips Stadion until the summer of 2026.
Oliver Thomas
