Despite putting him on his wishlist, Erik ten Hag didn't get Cody Gakpo for Christmas.
Instead, he saw Manchester United gazumped by old foes Liverpool, who're suddenly set to sign the PSV Eindhoven star. The Anfield club have officially agreed a deal that is understood to be worth a total of €51million (£45m), with Gakpo en route to Merseyside.
Ten Hag had made the 23-year-old his top priority target ahead of the January transfer window, hoping to see him replace the recently-departed Cristiano Ronaldo in his forward line. But Jurgen Klopp and co. have swooped in to snatch Gakpo in a stunning turn of events, despite Ten Hag harbouring what he believed to be an advantage in negotiations.
As reported by the Telegraph, the Red Devils boss - who'd previously explored the possibility of signing Gakpo over the summer - is represented by the same agency as the Dutch forward. But boasting a lesser degree of separation than Klopp ultimately didn't pay off, as Gakpo now is expected to be strutting his stuff at Anfield come January 1 when the window opens.
Ten Hag's interest in the Netherlands international stems from his first few weeks at Old Trafford in June. Instead of snapping Gakpo up then, the Dutchman decided to pursue Brazilian winger Antony instead, having worked with him for two years at former club Ajax. United renewed talks with PSV this month but, in typically decisive fashion, Liverpool have all but won the race.
Klopp and co. pulled off a similar move earlier this year by beating Tottenham Hotspur to Luis Diaz 's signature at the 11th hour. The outcome leaves Ten Hag looking at Plan B, with the Red Devils linked to a host of backup options including Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos and Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.
Have your say! Who should Man Utd sign instead of Gakpo? Give us your pick in the comments section.
One thing is for sure, United are indeed looking to offset Ronaldo's acrimonious departure by recruiting a new forward. "But only when we find the right player," Ten Hag added to the Athletic. "We will do everything in our power. We are doing research at every opportunity and we will do everything we can (to sign them) if that opportunity is there."
When asked about the possibility of signing Gakpo, the ex-Ajax manager admitted: "I cannot give comments on specific players. I will never do that. Players have contracts and I respect that but be sure we are working in the background to get the right players in."
What will immediately be on Ten Hag's mind is the Red Devils' return to Premier League action in a clash with Nottingham Forest at home on Tuesday. United can ensure that they head into 2023 closer to the Champions League places with a four-point lead over Liverpool, who went sixth after beating Aston Villa 3-1 on Boxing Day.
