Manchester United have gained a boost in signing PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo in January.
The group led by Erik ten Hag had an interest in acquiring the services of the 23-year-old player during the summer of 2017, but they decided against making a formal offer in light of the astronomical fee that was paid for Antony. This has not put an end to the rumors that have been associating the club with the Dutchman, and Gakpo has again brought up the likelihood that he may join United in January.
According to comments made by the 23-year-old player in an interview with the Dutch newspaper NRC, which were reported by the Independent, the player said that he began to question his abilities after Manchester United decided not to sign him over the previous summer. He went on to say that he has not received any communication from the Premier League heavyweights as of yet but that he would be open to the idea of a transfer if they came back for him this winter.
He said, “No matter what happens, it will happen. Imagine that you have a reservation at RKC but you can’t get a ride to PSV since that club doesn’t come. When that happens, you are free to freak out. I was thinking about Manchester United at the time, but after that didn’t materialize, I wasn’t sure about anything anymore. And at that point, I started to have some reservations. It was confirmed that Leeds United would attend. Is it necessary for me to go there? At this point, all I can do is wait and let things unfold. There has been no communication received from Manchester United as of yet. In the event that they show up, I will give it some thought. I pray to God for guidance in every decision I make, including these. I inquire from him what it is that I am the most capable of doing.
During the summer of 2016, Gakpo was made available for a transfer fee of 39 million pounds, but Manchester United’s top objective was to acquire Antony from Ajax at whatever cost. Gakpo might have turned out to be a much better acquisition for United than the Brazilian superstar, who has been a respectable performance overall with three goals scored in 11 appearances.
In January, the board of directors may try to make apologies by submitting a new offer for Gakpo; but, according to recent reports, his price has increased to £65 million. The top player from the Netherlands has had an outstanding season for PSV, finishing with 13 goals and 17 assists for the club’s 24 games played. At the World Cup, he has been instrumental in the Netherlands’ advancement to the quarterfinals, scoring three goals for his team along the way.
Because of his versatility, a number of top clubs are likely to be interested in him throughout the month of January; nevertheless, Manchester United is likely to have the upper hand in their pursuit of a contract with him. Gakpo extended an open invitation to United in his most recent interview, and it is now up to the upper management at the club to get him to Old Trafford by paying the price that PSV has set for the player.