Man Utd to break record transfer to sign World Cup star Cody Gakpo in January – Details & more

Man Utd have been told that they will have to break a “record transfer” if they want to sign Netherlands and PSV attacker Cody Gakpo in January.

The winger was one player who was targeted by Man Utd in the summer but they instead opted to spend around £85m to sign Antony from Ajax.

Gakpo would have been much cheaper during the previous window as he was available for around £25m.

His reputation has gone through the roof over the past few months, though. He has grabbed nine goals and 12 assists in just 14 Eredivisie appearances this term.

The Netherlands attacker then scored three goals at the World Cup as Louis van Gaal’s reached the quarter-finals.

The Red Devils have benefitted from Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit so they have more funds at their disposal ahead of January. His early departure has saved them around £16m in unpaid wages.

But PSV director of football Marcel Brands has warned interested clubs that it “must be a record transfer” for them to sell Gakpo in January..

“You have to need a player in that position and be able and willing to spend the money in January, which is normally less hectic than the summer. We have yet to see if it all happens. He has no clause or anything.

“And no amounts have been agreed on either. The agreements that were made were there before my time. Amounts have not been discussed, but if the right club comes that Cody would like to go.

“Those agreements were already made before I came. It must be a record transfer for PSV anyway. Then you know in which direction it should go.”

PSV’s current record sale is €45m as Napoli splashed out that fee to sign Hirving Lozano in 2019.

Brands has also suggested that Antony’s mega-money move to United has little bearing on Gakpo’s future.

“That had nothing to do with market conformity, but with a club that is in panic and a trainer who insisted on him. Many players have left for market value in recent times, such as Gabriel Jesus for £50m or Erling Haaland for 75 million euros,” Brands said.

“In the media, it seems like all the clubs are lining up, but the reality is that we don’t know anything about interest or anything yet. It’s quiet. I’ve spoken to Cody.

“He’s going on vacation for 10 days. If something is at play, it is perhaps known to Cody or his management, but not to us yet.”

Source: Onefootball