After Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United, the club are in the market for a new forward.
Cody Gakpo has been identified by Erik ten Hag as a viable replacement. With nine goals and 12 assists in the Eredivisie this season he can hopefully provide the goals that Ronaldo was supposed to in the Dutchman's side.
Many fans were worried about how Gakpo's game would adapt to the Premier League when he was linked with a move in summer, but the form of Lisandro Martinez and Antony may have done a lot to quell those doubts. However, there is still some risk involved.
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United have been in this position before, looking to sign a talented left winger from PSV Eindhoven who has taken the Eredivisie by storm. That description could have fit Memphis Depay who the club signed for £27m while managed by Louis van Gaal.
Many expected Memphis to be a roaring success, but after a few ineffective years at the club and a change of management to Jose Mourinho, he was sold for a loss to Olympique Lyon, with many considering his time at Old Trafford to be a failure.
Memphis would go on to have a great career but it was clear that United wasted his potential at the time and if he had remained at the club, there is a chance that career might have stalled altogether. This is something that Ten Hag can not allow to happen with Gakpo.
Part of the problem with Depay was his effort levels - which the player himself has admitted was a proble - but also he was misused by both managers he played under. There are reports that Ten Hag could use Gakpo as a striker, a role he has never excelled in before, so the manager must be mindful of history repeating itself.
With a number of players already fitting a similar profile or position to Gakpo, including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho, the 23-year-old needs to hit the ground running if he joins United.
If Ten Hag has a clear plan for Gakpo then United should make the move, but if not they cannot afford to waste another players career like they did with Memphis all those years ago.
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