Reported Man Utd target Cody Gakpo celebrates his goal Credit: Alamy
Man Utd have reportedly reached an agreement to sign PSV and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo has been on fire for PSV since the beginning of last season.
As a result, he is being linked with a host of top European clubs, such as Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Leeds United made an attempt to sign him on deadline day last summer, but the Dutch transfer window had closed, so PSV were not entertaining a sale.
Southampton and Everton were also interested, but with 30 goal contributions in 24 matches for the Dutch outfit this season, plus two goals at the World Cup, you’d expect Gakpo to be aiming higher.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently left Man Utd, opening up a space for a new forward to join the club.
The Red Devils were expected to sign a new striker in the upcoming summer transfer window, but may act in January.
While Gakpo is not a natural No. 9, several are linked with a move to Old Trafford.
There is reported interest in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Lille’s Jonathan David and RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko.
Erik ten Hag has often called upon Marcus Rashford through the middle this season while also relying on Anthony Martial.
Gakpo predominantly plays off the left, where Rashford can also be utilised, as well as Jadon Sancho, who has been bitterly disappointing since joining Man Utd from Borussia Dortmund last year.
The 23-year-old Dutchman would be a terrific addition, though there may be some reservations at Old Trafford given how good Memphis Depay looked before joining from PSV in 2015.
Memphis was possibly higher rated than Gakpo is now, yet he ended up being a massive flop in the Premier League before enjoying a terrific spell with French outfit Lyon.
Currently at Barcelona – but out of contract next summer – Memphis is one of many being linked with a move to Man Utd.
However, it looks like the club’s efforts to sign Gakpo – who is valued at £38.7million by Transfermarkt – has greatly accelerated.
According to Football Insider, Man Utd have ‘reached an agreement in principle’ with the player.
The report claims the Red Devils had a £25m summer bid to sign Gakpo turned down by PSV.
CBS Sports correspondent Ben Jacobs recently confirmed that Man Utd’s Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool have Gakpo ‘on their radar’.
Ten Hag and co might struggle to convince the Eredivisie club to sell in the January transfer window, and may be forced to wait until the summer.
The Dutch manager left Ajax to join Man Utd at the end of last season.
He delved into the Eredivisie market in his first summer transfer window in charge.
The Red Devils signed Antony and Lisandro Martinez from Ajax for a combined £130m.
Former Dutch footballer and manager Hans Kraay Jr recently described Gakpo as “gone” from PSV.
“Gakpo is gone,” Kraay Jr told ESPN. “PSV are not going to keep him, and cannot keep him anymore.
“Gakpo will soon be playing in the Premier League. The chance that it will be Manchester United is now a lot higher again, because Cristiano Ronaldo has left.
“They have even more money available. At Liverpool, assistant Pepijn Lijnders is charmed by him, so he is chasing Jürgen Klopp. Yes, Gakpo is gone.”
READ NOW: Transfer gossip: Mudryk to Arsenal back on after U-turn; Rafa for Ronaldo at Man Utd
The article Man Utd transfers: ‘Agreement reached’ to sign top Arsenal, Liverpool target worth £39m appeared first on Football365.com.