Cody Gakpo told to reject Liverpool as huge Man Utd attraction emerges; Ten Hag sent January transfer advice
Dutch striker Cody Gakpo has been urged to leave Manchester United via Liverpool or one of his other suitors, while Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has also received transfer advice for January.
Gakpo will most likely join from PSV this winter. After scoring three goals in the World Cup, he’s one of the hottest properties in Europe right now. And PSV are open to him leaving as long as they get the right price.
“Only 10/12 clubs can afford Cody Gakpo in January,” said PSV director of football Marcel Brands recently. “Let’s see if it will happen – it has to be a record PSV sale and also the right offer for Cody’s plans.
“We don’t have any official offers yet. Let’s see if any club pays a lot of money in January.”
The Dutch club’s current record sale is the £38.5million departure of Hirving Lozano to Napoli in August 2019. As a result, Man Utd know they need to spend more to capture Gakpo.
The Telegraph provided an update on transfer tracking on Saturday. They claim Man Utd are preparing a €50m (£43m) bid for Gakpo in January.
Liverpool are also considering an offer for the 23-year-old. However, John Barnes recently warned Gakpo about him wouldn’t make the starting XI if he went to Anfield.
Now former Dutch defender Mario Melchiot has given his verdict on the PSV man. He reckons Gakpo should join Man Utd as he is attractive to play under compatriot Ten Hag.
Man Utd urged to speed up Cody Gakpo signing
Melchiot also urged Man Utd to get the deal over the line as soon as possible as Gakpo is set to become even more expensive next summer.
“If you want a good player – and Gakpo is talented, fast, he’s got everything – don’t wait too long,” Melchiot said during a performance talkSPORT.
“The price is getting too expensive. So you should go after him immediately.”
Melchiot added: “If anyone were to ask me, I would say go to a Dutch manager.
“You have to make sure you’re going to a team that plays attacking football, you know where you’re going to play – and you have to be sure you can handle that.
“The Dutch league is very technical and tactical. In England you need an extra third part and that is character.”
Man Utd certainly looks like the best next club for Gakpo. If he went to Liverpool he would have to join the team ahead of Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino or Luis Diaz – once the Colombian returns from injury.
Of course, Man Utd also have strong attacking options with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho in the Ten Hag squad.
However, following the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract in November, they are looking for a new striker. And Gakpo is on his way to becoming a top-class centre-forward after adapting from left wing.
That means there’s a starting slot at Old Trafford essentially waiting for Gakpo should that move come through.
In the meantime, Sunday’s transfer Gossip claim Man Utd are ready to spend £200m on a massive double midfield attack.
The article where Cody Gakpo said to reject Liverpool as a huge Man Utd attraction emerges; Ten Hag sent out transfer notices in January, which first appeared on Teamtalk.com.
