Cody Gakpo has revealed more details about his transfer saga last summer.
Manchester United was on the hunt for reinforcements up front. Gakpo appeared as a key target; The winger’s positional flexibility, dynamism and success in the Netherlands fitted into the transfer strategy of Erik ten Hag and John Murtough.
PSV Eindhoven were reportedly willing to let the 23-year-old leave for €35m.
United instead made a surprising late move for Ajax’s Antony, which cost €100m having allegedly been discounted from the move earlier in the window. Antony has scored three goals in his first four Premier League appearances this season.
Gakpo spoke to Tom Allnutt of The Times about his incredibly close transfer to United.
“I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a couple of times at Manchester United,” he said.
“In the end, the deal didn’t go through, which was a shame, for me and for my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
‘But also [a shame] for PSV, because transferring a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.’
Although Gakpo mentions that his development would have been better if he played at Old Trafford, he has started this season with an incredible attacking performance. In fact, he has scored the most goal contributions in Europe’s top leagues, scoring 13 times and providing 11 assists.
‘[The United deal] It ended about a week before the end of the transfer window and in that week I had to decide whether to go to Leeds or Southampton.
“In the end I stayed, but it was a stressful period.”
Rumors are already circulating about a January move for Gakpo. United, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and AC Milan are said to be interested parties. Gakpo’s decision to remain in the Eredivisie beyond the summer, therefore, may be because he had his sights set on transferring to a major European club in the next window.
If the current holder of the Dutch Footballer of the Year award can perform well in the World Cup this winter, PSV could raise his asking price significantly, especially with plenty of suitors already lining up at the door.
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