Cody Gakpo has suggested that he could still leave PSV Eindhoven and join Manchester United - despite Antony’s pending transfer to Old Trafford.
Antony is now poised to join United in a €100million (£84m) deal from Ajax. The Brazilian winger has been pushing for the move and desperately wants to be reunited with Erik ten Hag in the Premier League. The 22-year-old’s big-money move to United was understood to have pushed Gakpo onto the backburner.
However, there remains some uncertainty around the situation, with the possibility that United might sign Gakpo as well being given credibility by the winger’s own words on the weekend. Gakpo scored and grabbed two assists in PSV’s 6-1 win over Excelsior on Sunday before speaking to ESPN about his future.
“It’s going to be hectic, I think. There is interest, but I have always said that the whole picture has to be right. It is a puzzle. I have to see which puzzle is the most correct.” he said. “But there are also other options. United is a serious option. I hear it all. I try to close myself off, but that is difficult.” Asked if Antony’s move affected his future, Gakpo said: “No, that doesn’t matter to me. Nice for him, anyway.”
Gakpo is of interest from United, Southampton, Everton and Leeds United. According to The Athletic, Saints are the only club to have submitted a concrete proposal to PSV for Gakpo, which was rejected, but movement is expected before the transfer deadline at 11pm on Thursday. Rasmus Ankersen, co-founder of Southampton’s ownership group Sport Republic, has been leading talks with PSV.
PSV Eindhoven manager Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted on Sunday that he could still lose his star player before the window closes. “You know how things are going in the last week, certainly from the English market a lot is still happening,” he told ESPN. “We are quietly looking at what will happen. There is nothing as long as nothing is concrete, that is the situation. Decisions are already being made.”
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Gakpo is under contract until June 2026, but the 23-year-old is understood to be keen on joining Ten Hag at Old Trafford. He is attracting widespread interest after registering 12 goals and 13 assists in 27 league games last season.
Ten Hag confirmed following United’s 1-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday that the club will be working right up until the end of deadline day in order to get deals over the line. "We stick to the plan," he said. "If a good player is available we will strike. We will be alert until the last second of the window."
Gakpo’s performances for PSV have not been affected by the ongoing speculation about his future. He has already racked up three goals and three assists in as many Eredivisie games – but PSV’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could prompt his exit.
