Manchester United have reportedly been told that they could sign PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo for £50m during the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old was strongly linked with a switch to the Red Devils over the summer, and he held talks with the English club's head coach Erik ten Hag over a potential move to Manchester.
However, the 20-time English champions ultimately brought in Antony from Ajax, with Gakpo remaining at PSV despite interest from Leeds United and Southampton.
The forward has been in excellent form for the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup, scoring three times in four appearances for the European country, who have progressed to the quarter-finals.
Gakpo was also in strong form for PSV ahead of the competition, scoring 13 goals and registering 17 assists in 24 appearances.
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There has been a host of speculation surrounding the attacker's future over the last couple of weeks, with Man United said to be determined to sign him during the January market.
The Red Devils had initially been looking to wait until the end of the campaign before bringing in a new forward, but Cristiano Ronaldo's recent departure has seemingly brought forward their plans.
According to The Sun, the 20-time English champions are preparing to make their move, with PSV prepared to sell him for around £50m during the winter market.
The report claims that the Dutch giants want to take advantage of Gakpo's current form by selling him on, with Real Madrid and Arsenal also said to be admirers of his talents.
Gakpo has a contract in Eindhoven until June 2026, but he has allegedly been told that he will be allowed to leave in 2023, providing that the Dutch club's asking price is met.
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"After. I'm not thinking about that now. I'm just really focused on the tournament, trying to keep performing well and helping the team and hopefully when we become world champion then I can think about that (the future)," Gakpo told reporters after helping Holland beat USA in the last-16 stage of the World Cup.
"No, not really (is it hard to concentrate). I'm just trying to keep focused and the other players don't really talk about those things which also helps me in this situation. We came here with a goal which is to try to become world champion.
"We believe in that and we're going to fight and improve every day. We're growing in the tournament, improving every game and this was another step higher."
Gakpo has scored 55 goals and registered 50 assists in 159 appearances for PSV in all competitions, making his debut for the Dutch giants in 2018.
Matt Law
