Following Christian Eriksen’s arrival on a free transfer at Manchester United, Erik ten Hag made it clear he wanted a midfielder and an attacker before the window closed.
The Red Devils fulfilled the manager’s wishes by signing Casemiro and Antony from Real Madrid and Ajax respectively.
Prior to the winger’s arrival, reports in the Dutch press stated Manchester United want both Antony and Cody Gakpo. The latter has not managed to get a move to England and will continue at PSV Eindhoven.
On Friday, the Netherlands international admitted he thought he was going to join Ten Hag’s side after they reported their interest.
“Manchester United reported at the start of the transfer window. They expressed their interest, but after that they took a long time. In the end, as management, we had talks with Manchester United between the games against Rangers,” De Jong told PSV TV, as relayed by Voetbal International.
“Then it seemed to become more concrete, but that faded and at the end of the window the option to sell him to United was no longer there.”
Both the player and PSV have confirmed United’s interest in the Dutchman. It needs to be seen whether the Premier League side will return for Gakpo in January or next summer.
