Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United eye Cody Gakpo and Joao Palhinha ahead of the summer transfer window
According to the Mirror, Manchester United are eyeing big changes to the squad ahead of the new season as they have identified PSV Eindhoven ace Cody Gakpo and Sporting Lisbon star Joao Palhinha as top transfer targets.
The Red Devils are currently fourth in the Premier League but in danger of missing out on Champions League football next season, as teams below them may overtake the club if they win their remaining games in hand.
The club is aiming to reach the top of the league and not settle for anything less, and a summer rebuild may be on the cards. With this in mind, Gakpo and Palhinha have been identified as the ones who could fire the Red Devils back to the top.
The squad’s attack and midfield will need fresh faces to turn things around for the club, and interim manager Ralf Rangnick has asked the club hierarchy to keep an eye on Gakpo, who has impressed this season in the Eredivisie.
Double signing in the summer
Palhinha, meanwhile, has been of interest to the club recently as Man United sent scouts to watch the 26-year-old turn out for Sporting this season. The player is also a rising star in the Portugal national team, which increases his value as an experienced midfielder.
The Portuguese star will not come cheap though, as the release clause in his current deal is close to £50m. It is said, however, that Sporting will listen to offers north of £20m with performance-based add-ons.
Man United’s interest in a forward and midfielder is apparent, given the state of the club currently. They only have 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and 35-year-old Edinson Cavani as options up front, and there is no guarantee that either will stick around for a few more years.
The Red Devils’ midfield meanwhile, has for years now called out for a midfield general to organise and marshal the players as they look to set the tempo in games. Since the retirement of Michael Carrick in 2018, they have missed a lynchpin in the middle of the park and have not found an ideal replacement as of yet.
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Gakpo is only 22, which makes him a great option to consider as a long-term option up front for Man United given how old their current forwards are. Scouts were sent out to watch the player in action, given that he scored 13 goals and provided 13 assists for PSV this campaign.
Hopefully, the club solidifies their interest in these players with a concrete offer and snaps up the pair ahead of the new season. The summer may prove to be an exciting time for United fans, given the number of players they have been linked with.
