Manchester United have reportedly registered their interest in PSV forward Cody Gakpo as they continue to look for attacking reinforcements this summer.
After a summer of positivity following the appointment of Erik ten Hag, the mood at Old Trafford has taken a drastic downturn in recent days following the 2-1 opening day defeat to Brighton – a game in which they were deservedly second best.
The defeat has turned the pressure up on United’s recruitment department, with the club having only brought in three new recruits so far, despite what was expected to be a large-scale overhaul of the playing squad.
Much of United’s focus has been on the long drawn out – and so far fruitless – pursuit of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, while the club have also been linked with a number of attacking targets.
The Red Devils – working on a restricted budget – have been priced out of a deal for Ajax’s Antony, while they have also failed in their bid to lure RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko to the club, the forward agreeing to join Salzburg’s sister club RB Leipzig in 12 months time instead.
Following the defeat to Brighton, reports emerged about Manchester United’s shock move for former West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic, though the club have today withdrawn their interest in the Bologna striker.
Now, according to ESPN, the club have ‘registered their interest’ in PSV forward, Cody Gakpo. The Netherlands international has come through the club’s academy and scored 21 goals in 47 games for the Eindhoven outfit last season.
PSV – managed by former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy – are said to value the 23-year-old at £35 million, and are ‘unlikely to accept anything less for one of their star players’.
The report says there is ‘interest from other Premier League clubs’, so it remains to be seen if United’s apparent interest is genuine, or if their name is being used to flush out potential suitors ahead of the transfer deadline.
Ten Hag has, however, shown a desire to shop in the Dutch market this summer, with Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez having come from the Eredivisie this summer, while Christian Eriksen came through the Ajax academy.
Gakpo – who can play across the front line – scored twice as PSV started the 2022/23 season with a 4-1 victory over FC Emmen at the weekend, and is said to be ‘keen to move to United if terms can be agreed’.
