Transfer News: Manchester United reach an agreement in principle to sign Cody Gakpo
According to Football Insider (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle to sign PSV Eindhoven and The Netherlands winger Cody Gakpo in January.
The 23-year-old was linked with a move to the Red Devils in the summer too, but nothing came of such rumours. However, now the club is believed to have reached an agreement with the player, although they still need to convince PSV to let him leave.
Erik ten Hag is in need of a striker in his team. Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit leaves Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as the only two players who can operate as a striker.
Martial has struggled to keep himself fit this season, while Rashford’s eight goals in all competitions have come from him playing on the wings. A striker is needed and Gakpo could be the answer.
While the Dutchman himself is not a natural striker, he can still play in the striker role, similar to Rashford and Martial. The 23-year-old has been in sensational form this season scoring 13 goals and registering 17 assists in 24 games for PSV in all competitions.
Should Gakpo arrive, Ten Hag will have three players who can lead the line. This will give the boss multiple options to choose from, while also allowing him to rotate his attackers in various positions according to the opposition.
His signing would make sense, but there is the Herculean task of agreeing on a fee with his club. They will likely do all they can to keep the player, given the form he is in.
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Gakpo is currently on international duty and has scored two goals for his country in their two group-stage games. Decent performance at the World Cup will see his stock rise, and it remains to be seen if the Red Devils can convince his club to let him leave in January.
