Potential Liverpool signing Cody Gakpo appears to have followed Rene Meulensteen ’s advice to reject a switch to the assistant's former club Manchester United.
The Dutch forward looked to be highly sought-after heading into the January transfer window having shone for PSV Eindhoven. Ahead of the enforced break for the World Cup, he had scored 13 goals and notched 17 assists in all competitions for the Dutch outfit.
He carried that form into the World Cup having scored three goals as Louis van Gaal ’s Netherlands side reached the quarter-finals. There was expected to be an intense battle for his services with Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag thought to be a big admirer.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson ’s former right-hand man Meulensteen previously instructed the promising forward to turn down a move to Old Trafford having hit out at the club’s approach to the transfer market. Speaking to Algemeen Dagblad earlier this year, he said: “The transfer policy is a big mess.
“They’ve been chasing Frenkie de Jong for so long, that didn’t go through. Then they wanted Adrien Rabiot, that didn’t work either.
“Marko Arnautovic didn’t either. They are still trying to get Antony and Cody Gakpo, but I also have my doubts about that.
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“Those guys are fantastic in the Eredivisie, but that is no guarantee that they can continuously make a difference here. If I were Gakpo, I would say thank you for the honor and say: I’m staying with PSV. I would say to him: boy, there are more clubs coming.
“At PSV you had the chance to play Champions League, you’re on that [path]. At the moment at Manchester United not so sure.”
It appears that Meleunsteen’s appeals have been taken on board by Gakpo with a Premier League move seemingly close to completion. However, instead of a switch to Old Trafford, he looks to be in line for a switch to fierce rivals Liverpool.
His current employers PSV have already confirmed that terms have been agreed with the striker set to travel to England for further talks with the Reds. A statement read: “PSV and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement on the proposed transfer of Cody Gakpo.
“The 23-year-old attacker will leave for England imminently where he will be subjected to the necessary formalities ahead of the completion of the transfer.”
Whilst United have been linked to Gakpo in the past, he is not the only forward to have been touted for a switch to Old Trafford in the upcoming transfer window. Benfica star Goncalo Ramos is apparently on their shortlist. Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix is also a contender but a deal appears tricky to complete.
