Manchester United have seemingly received a boost in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo.
With just a week remaining of the summer transfer window, the 23-year-old Netherlands international is believed to be one of several attacking options on Erik ten Hag's shortlist.
A recent report claims that United have reached an agreement with Gakpo and his representatives over personal terms, although the Red Devils are yet to table a formal bid for the attacker.
PSV were unwilling to enter negotiations over a proposed sale of their star man until their Champions League playoff tie with Rangers was completed.
The Dutch outfit played out a 2-2 draw in last week's first leg at Ibrox, but they suffered a narrow 1-0 second-leg defeat on Wednesday in front of their own fans, with Rangers booking their place in the Champions League group stage at their expense.
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PSV, who have missed out on Champions League qualification for the fifth successive year, will now drop down into the Europa League group stage for the 2022-23 campaign.
Prior to PSV's first-leg clash with Rangers in Glasgow, Gakpo suggested that he would be more likely to leave the club if they failed to qualify for Europe's most prestigious club competition.
"We must first focus on and try to make it to the Champions League. Then it is more likely that I will stay," the Dutchman told reporters last week.
"I don't think I have said anywhere that I am leaving, so there is definitely a chance that I will stay."
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, PSV head coach and former Man United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy insisted that he was relaxed over the future of Gakpo, who still has four years remaining on his contract.
"I think I am very relaxed about [Gakpo's] situation," Van Nistelrooy told reporters. "There have been rumours about him since the beginning of the season almost eight weeks ago, and we have not seen Cody changing his behaviour up to now.
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"There were rumours over the whole period and I admire that a lot in him. He is working on his development on a daily basis, playing in games and reaching his level.
"He is not distracted, he is focused on the games he has to play and focused on tomorrow's game with his teammates. For a young guy like him it is special to see that attitude."
When asked if he would like to keep hold of Gakpo this summer, Van Nistelrooy added: "That's obvious. As long as he's a PSV player he's here. That's what I'll focus on and him as well. There's no if or what ifs. He's a PSV player until further notice."
Gakpo excelled in front of goal for PSV last season, scoring 21 times and providing 15 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions, and he has since contributed with three goals and four assists in seven competitive games this term.
While Gakpo remains on United's radar, Ajax forward Antony is believed to be their primary target at present, and a recent report claims that the 22-year-old Brazilian is desperate to move to Old Trafford within the next 48 hours.
Oliver Thomas
