Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to sign PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo in 2023.
The Netherlands international was the subject of interest from several clubs in the summer window before ultimately electing to stay put in his homeland.
Having seen Gakpo's qualities first-hand during his time in the Eredivisie, Erik ten Hag was supposedly leading the Man United charge to secure the attacker's signature.
Arsenal and Leeds United were also credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, who was confirmed to have been the subject of talks from the Whites over a summer move.
Gakpo remains under contract at the Philips Stadion until 2026, having only signed a new deal in January, but he recently admitted that he was ready to take the next step in his career next year.
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"I think at the end of this season I will be ready to take that step. I feel like I was already that way at the start of this season, but after this season I'm even more ready to take that next step," Gakpo told NOS.
"Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. It would be an honour to play there, but I also have to see what kind of team would suit me best."
Now, Football Insider claims that Man United are edging closer to winning the race for Gakpo's signature after reaching an agreement in principle for the Dutchman.
The report adds that the Red Devils must still try to convince PSV to part ways with Gakpo in January, otherwise they will have to wait until the summer to complete the swoop.
Despite interest from the likes of Leeds United, Southampton and Everton, Gakpo is also said to be eyeing a move to a European-competing club, putting Man United at a huge advantage.
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A fee of €30m (£25.8m) could reportedly be enough to land Gakpo in January, although his stock could rise if he enjoys a strong World Cup period with the Netherlands.
However, with Man United freeing up £500,000 per week in wages following Cristiano Ronaldo's exit by mutual consent, they are not concerned about the prospect of paying more.
Gakpo has come through the youth ranks at PSV since joining in 2007 and has now amassed 55 goals and 50 assists in 159 games for the club in all tournaments.
The Dutchman won the KNVB-Beker with his side in the 2021-22 season, and he struck an impressive 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 games for Ruud van Nistelrooy's men in the first half of the 2022-23 campaign.
Gakpo already has two goals from two World Cup 2022 matches for the Netherlands against Senegal and Ecuador, as Oranje sit first in Group A with four points from their opening two matches.
Ben Knapton
