Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag will be key in persuading PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo to join the Red Devils over a host of other clubs, according to a Dutch journalist.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked to the Netherlands international after Cristiano Ronaldo left the club by mutual consent at the end of last month.
That leaves Man Utd with Marcus Rashford and an injury-prone Anthony Martial to rely on until the end of the season unless they dip into the transfer market in January.
Man Utd were reportedly interested in Gakpo in the summer transfer window with Leeds United and Southampton making serious moves for the winger.
The 23-year-old has contributed nine goals and 12 assists in just 14 Eredivisie matches this campaign, while he has three goals in four matches at the World Cup for the Netherlands.
His price tag has reportedly rocketed from around £25m in the summer market to PSV Eindhoven’s latest demands of £65m.
And Voetbal International journalist Marco Timmer says Man Utd are set to make plans to speak with Gakpo’s agent after the World Cup, while Ten Hag could prove key to a potential deal.
“His entourage have held talks with most of the big European clubs over the last two seasons. They want to know what the plans are with Cody,” Timmer told Bernabeu Digital.
“Last summer, Manchester United wanted him and until the last market week he thought he would play for United. Afterwards, Leeds United and Southampton were very serious, but Gakpo wanted to stay at PSV.
“For the winter transfer window, his agents will talk after the World Cup with bigger clubs like Manchester United again, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, for example. Manchester United seem to have a slight advantage in my opinion.
“Manager Erik ten Hag has the same agency as Gakpo and I think he needs a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.”
And Gakpo revealed yesterday that he will consider a January move to Man Utd if they come in with a concrete offer.
“That was a tough period,” Gakpo said in Dutch newspaper NRC. “I learned from that. I’m going to do it differently. What comes, that comes.
“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?
“Now I wait (for) everything. 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.”
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