Manchester United are reportedly set to hold talks over signing PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo this summer but the two clubs remain £10million apart in their valuation of the forward.
Gakpo appeared set to leave the Eredivisie club this summer as Old Trafford looked to be his most likely destination. The Dutch international ace has attracted Premier League attention while the 23-year-old has spoken directly about United’s interest in his signature.
Despite holding talks with United boss Erik ten Hag, no move came to fruition over the summer with United instead opting to sign Antony from Ajax in a deal worth £80million. Southampton and Leeds were among the other Premier League clubs who were monitoring Gakpo’s situation.
Cristiano Ronaldo ’s exit last month has left United light on attacking numbers this campaign, despite the emergence of teenage talent Alejandro Garnacho. The only senior strikers in United’s squad are Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who has suffered with injury problems this season.
A report in the Mail has outlined how United are reviving their interest in signing Gakpo in January, although PSV’s valuation of £50million is more than the Premier League side are willing to pay. They are unwilling to go above £40million to sign the Dutch international.
Gakpo explained on his talks to United in an interview with The Times in October: "I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United. In the end the deal didn’t go through, which was a shame, for me and my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.
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"It ended about a week before the end of the transfer window and in that week I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton. In the end I stayed, but it was a stressful period."
The Dutch international has starred at this winter’s World Cup, where he found the net in each of Louis van Gaal’s side’s three group stage matches. He caught the eye with a string of fine performances.
Gakpo has been in fine goal scoring form for his club side this season too, netting 13 goals for PSV so far. His price tag will no doubt have been elevated further from his early World Cup exploits – and looks set to play a key role for his nation.
