Virgil van Dijk has reminded Cody Gakpo that Manchester United and Real Madrid are "not on the same level" as speculation swirls regarding his future.
The Netherlands forward has excelled recently at PSV, which has seen several of Europe's heavyweights stand up and take note. Gakpo opted to remain with the Eredivisie outfit in the summer but his performances at the World Cup will only see the interest in him increase.
Gakpo scored in all three of his country's World Cup group games with the January transfer window just weeks away. United find themselves in need of a striker after Cristiano Ronaldo's sudden exit and Erik ten Hag has targeted the Eredivisie for new signings.
The Red Devils are unlikely to be the only club eyeing the 23-year-old with Los Blancos also credited with interest. Van Dijk is in international camp with Gakpo and has drawn comparison on the two clubs. He said: “Are Manchester United and Real Madrid on the same level? No disrespect, not at all.
“I definitely think he has that next step in him. I definitely feel like it could happen, whether that is in the winter or the summer or next year, time will tell. He is a great boy who works hard, very talented and definitely there is more in him. We are so pleased he is doing so well for us. Long may it continue.”
Gakpo started in attack for the Dutch as they saw off the USA in the last 16 - setting up a quarter final with Argentina. The PSV star failed to score for the first time in Qatar and has been quizzed on his future at the Philips Stadium, offering a cryptic response.
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“As it stands now, I will still be playing for PSV after the winter break,” he told De Telegraaf. “But as I said before the start of the World Cup: we will see what will happen.”
United failed to sign a striker in the summer despite being linked with the likes of Marko Arnautovic. Several of their forward options - Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho - are most effective in wide positions and a central point of attack could enhance their top four push.
Louis van Gaal, who previously held the top job in Manchester, has not been surprised by Gakpo's exploits and is expecting a lot more. He claimed: "I had more or less expected that he would evolve this way but I believe that he's going to evolve even further, much further, so I'm not surprised (by his performances) at all. It's marvellous that he can do this on the world stage."
