Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has ‘indicated’ to the club that he is keen to strengthen his forward line in the January transfer window and Cody Gakpo is at the top of his wish list.
That’s according to ESPN’s Netherlands edition, who say the forwards impressive performances and hot start to life at the World Cup has put Manchester United back on his trail.
They explain that initially Gakpo was not the only name on United’s list of potential forward options, with AC Milan’s Rafael Leão also ‘in demand’.
His exit has opened up room in the wage budget as he was earning over €15m a year and Ten Hag wants to take advantage of that to add another forward to his options.
He particularly wants more options on the flanks and has thus revived their summer interest in Gakpo.
Manchester United had looked at him early in the summer window but instead focused on other targets and secured a big money move for Ajax’s Antony.
Gakpo, though, has ‘always remained’ on Ten Hag’s radar and United are now ready to test PSV Eindhoven’s resolve. The Dutch side are expected to ask for €50m and would prefer to keep their star man until the end of the season if they can.
That doesn’t fit into Manchester United’s plans, though, and they could end up going for the Plan B of Leão if things do not work out.
