Former Dutch player and World Cup runner-up Willy van de Kerkhof says Cody Gakpo won’t be a PSV Eindhoven player for much longer amid interest from Manchester United.
Van de Kerkhof believes the strikers’ performances in Qatar leave the Eredivisie side with little chance of holding on to him for much longer.
But he insists that this is good news for PSV as it will also increase the fee they will be able to demand for their talisman.
“If he plays a good World Cup and is working on it, then I think he will be gone by Christmas,” Van de Kerkhof said.
“Of course I don’t decide on that, but I wouldn’t sell it for less than 80 million euros.”
The latest rumors suggest that Gakpo could leave for around €60m, but as he continues to impress on the world’s biggest stage, Man United may want to lock in a fee sooner rather than later.
The Red Devils are in dire need of goals, having scored less than all but one team in the top half of the Premier League so far this season.
Gakpo might be the man to provide them. An injection of clinical attacking quality could be crucial for Erik ten Hag as he looks to lead United to a top-four finish and some much-needed trophies.
The attacker has scored in every Dutch World Cup game so far: a header against Senegal, a left-footed shout against Ecuador and an inventive right-footed strike against Qatar.
In all those games, Gakpo scored the first goal.
A player capable of taking responsibility for scoring goals when necessary in high-pressure situations would be a game changer at Old Trafford.
“For Christmas” might be an exaggeration, but Ten Hag is sure to push for Gakpo in January and according to Fabrizio Romano, Gakpo’s agents are already working on a possible transfer.
