Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has revealed that the club will attempt to bring in a striker in January with Arsenal target Cody Gakpo sure to be on their list of potential acquisitions. Gakpo was linked with a summer move to both Man United and Leeds and more impressive performances have seen Arsenal join the transfer race for the PSV forward.
Gakpo boasts a hugely impressive goal-contribution record for the 2022/23 season for both club and country in all competitions. From 34 appearances across six different competitions, the 23-year-old has has been involved in 36 goals.
After impressive displays for PSV in the Eredivisie, Gakpo was also the Netherlands' talisman at the 2022 World Cup scoring three goals from five games, although none came beyond the group stages with the Dutch knocked out in the quarter-finals by Argentina.
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Following the injury to Gabriel Jesus, which looks set to keep him out until February at the earliest, Edu may look to secure a January deal for Gakpo with PSV's price tag set between €40million and €45million (£34million-£38million). Ten Hag will also be keen to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after his departure from the club by mutual consent last month.
Gakpo was recently asked about the rumours linking him with a switch to Old Trafford. “I haven’t heard from Manchester United yet. If they come, I will think about it with God’s help," he told NRC
“I thought about Man Utd last summer, but when that didn’t happen, I didn’t know anymore. Then Leeds arrived, I had doubts… now I wait and see."
Arsenal now seem to also be involved in the Gakpo transfer race, although they will likely face competition from Man United with Ten Hag confirming that he intends to bring another striker to the club in January. "Yes, but only when we find the right player. We do everything in our power. We are doing research on every opportunity and we do everything we can if that opportunity is there to contract them," he told our friends at the Manchester Evening News.
The Red Devils boss was, however not interested in commenting on specific players linked with United who play for other clubs with Gakpo mentioned.
He added: “I cannot give comments on specific players. I will never do that. Players have contracts and I respect that but make sure we are working in the background to get the right players in.”
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