MANCHESTER UNITED still want to sign PSV winger Cody Gakpo, according to reports.
The Red Devils chased the Dutchman last month, only to sign Ajax’s Antony instead.
United initially believed they would only need to splash out £50million on the Brazilian, which would have enabled them to also spend £25m on Gakpo.
But with Ajax eventually squeezing £85m out of them, Erik ten Hag’s side could no longer afford the PSV star’s services.
According to Forbes, United remain interested in Gakpo and were left relieved when he snubbed advances from other teams.
The Red Devils could look to table a bid for him in January or next summer, although his PSV contract runs until 2026.
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Everton and Southampton both made ambitious approaches for Gakpo in the final week of the transfer window, only to be turned down.
Despite claiming he was satisfied to stay at PSV, Gakpo hit out at the manner of United’s approach.
He said: “There are more factors at play. The World Cup also played a role.
“I spoke to the national coach. I called him and asked for advice. The advice was clear: that I had to follow my gut feeling, but that a transfer before the World Cup is not really ideal for the player, because then you have to get used to something. I agreed with him.
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“It was all last minute for me, because until last week I thought I was going to Manchester.
“Then it was choose another club and decide whether I wanted to go there. That is not nice for PSV and also not for me, because it felt rushed.”
Despite the situation, PSV boss and former Red Devil Ruud van Nistelrooy has been impressed by Gakpo’s application.
He said: “We have not seen Cody changing his behaviour up to now.
“I admire that a lot in him, he’s working on his development on a daily basis, playing in games and reaching his levels. He’s not distracted…For a young guy like him, it’s special to see that attitude.”
Gakpo has been in sparkling form this term, scoring eight goals and laying on six assists in just seven Eredivisie appearances.
He also scored in his side’s Europa League Group A opener against Bodo/Glimt, being handed the captain’s armband for the fixture.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
