Man Utd are reportedly in talks with Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven over the January signing of Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo is expected to leave PSV in 2023, with a move to Old Trafford looking increasingly likely.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag invested heavily during his first transfer window, bringing in Antony and Lisandro Martinez from PSV’s rivals Ajax.
Real Madrid legend Casemiro also joined the club, as did Christian Eriksen, Marti Dubravka, and another Eredivisie product in Tyrell Malacia.
Ten Hag was expected to pursue a new forward next summer, however, the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo means the search has been moved forward to the winter window.
RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko is one of many strikers linked with Man Utd, though he reportedly has an agreement in place to join RB Leipzig in 2023.
Man Utd have also been linked with Benfica youngster Goncalo Ramos, Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, and Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema.
However, the signing of Gakpo in January does seem inevitable.
The 23-year-old scored in all three of the Netherlands’ World Cup group stage games and has been in incredible form for his club, providing 30 goal contributions already this term.
PSV are reportedly looking to receive around £50million for their star man.
The Mirror are reporting, however, that PSV are facing ‘financial problems’ and may be willing to sell Gakpo for a cheaper price.
Realising they could pounce on a vulnerable PSV, Man Utd instigated talks during the week.
The Dutch giants are prepared to cash in on Gakpo for less than the £50m they initially wanted.
Ten Hag is eager to bring in the Netherlands international in order to boost the club’s chances of finishing in the top four this season.
Man Utd are prioritising the signing of Gakpo and feel like now is the right time to get the deal done after being made aware of PSV’s situation.
The Red Devils are not the only side in for the 23-year-old, however, with Newcastle, Arsenal and Real Madrid also fans of the player.
The report states that personal terms will be no issue for Man Utd with Gakpo keen on the move.
A move to the Premier League came close for the player last simmer amid interest from Southampton and Leeds.
The latter made an attempt to sign Gakpo on deadline day, but PSV were reluctant to sanction the sale as the Dutch transfer window was already closed at that time.
It is said that the sale of Gakpo would seriously ‘ease the threat’ of financial ‘meltdown’ at the end of 2022-23.
READ MORE: Big Boxing Day: Premier League returns! Arsenal v West Ham, Spurs, Salah, Jones and Lopetegui
