So the unthinkable has happened and Netherlands starlet Cody Gakpo appears set to sign for Liverpool.
It was not the late Christmas present Manchester United wanted to receive as news developed rapidly on Boxing Day night with leftovers yet to settle. But with all eyes on Old Trafford and a would-be move from PSV next month, the 23-year-old World Cup hero is instead heading to Anfield.
As they gear up for life after Cristiano Ronaldo - again - United have made no secret they want to be active next month and a new striker is on their radar. However, that was also the case for Liverpool and table-topping Arsenal, who remain in the market to find a temporary replacement for injured Gabriel Jesus.
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Erik ten Hag registered an interest in Gakpo in the summer. However, at that stage, there was only scope in the budget and squad to bring in one attack-minded player and that was, of course, Antony from Ajax - a man who had developed right in front of his very eyes in Amsterdam.
At the time, Gakpo was seemingly waiting to be picked up mid-season and United, presumably, set to come calling for him, yet again, due to their connections in the Eredivisie through Ten Hag and other means. His manager for PSV has most-recently been non other than United favourite Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Speaking about his protégé last week, Van Nistelrooy admitted that he might find it difficult to keep Gakpo at PSV beyond the upcoming January window. His worth, value and status had skyrocketed at the World Cup in Qatar with three goals in five appearances.
Gakpo was a shining light as the Netherlands reached the last-8 before losing to eventual winners Argentina, but it told us nothing that his pre-tournament club form had not done so already. By scoring 15 goals and adding 18 assists in 29 matches this season, Gakpo was ready for his next adventure in the big leagues.
United seemingly faced competition from Real Madrid - which might have been difficult to withstand - so there will be a bitter taste in the mouth that he will actually touch down at Anfield instead. But was Gakpo, for his undoubted ability, even the right "profile" for United anyway?
"He's a good player and always finds a way to have an influence in terms of getting an assist or scoring a goal. He's always dangerous," said Robin van Persie when pressed on Gakpo during an outing on BT Sport.
A warning to United and other Premier League sides, then. But Van Persie had a curveball to add.
"He's not an out-and-out striker. He can play as the number 10, on the [left] wing, a false striker or on the right wing. He can play in those four positions across the front. Cody has a good physique. He's strong, fast and can dribble, he's an all-round player."
Van Persie knows what it takes to prosper in the Premier League and clearly feels as though his countryman has all the necessary credentials to succeed on these shores, too. However, while he underlined his versatility at the World Cup, the departing PSV talent is more likely to shine from his favoured left-hand position.
If there is anything United do not need, it's more right-footed left wingers. Perhaps that was the thinking all along.
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