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Manchester United have reportedly already agreed personal terms with Cody Gakpo but are yet to submit an official offer for the PSV Eindhoven attacker.
The 23-year-old has been in strong form for his Dutch club at the start of the 2022-23 campaign, scoring three goals and registering four assists in six appearances.
The Netherlands international also starred for PSV last term, scoring 21 goals and registering 15 assists in 47 outings in all competitions.
Man United are currently working on a deal for Ajax attacker Antony, but it is understood that they are also keen to bring Gakpo to Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.
According to journalist Rik Elfrink, the 20-time English champions have already come to an agreement with the player and his representatives over personal terms.
Elfrink claims that Man United are yet to make an official offer, but they are aware that it will take in the region of £42m to sign him before the end of the transfer window.
The journalist adds that a deal ‘could go fast’ if the Red Devils are prepared to put a bid on the table, but there will not be any movement until after PSV’s Champions League playoff second leg with Rangers on Wednesday, with the tie delicately poised at 2-2.
“We must first focus on and try to make it to the Champions League,” Gakpo recently told ESPN. “Then it is more likely that I will stay. I don’t think I have said anywhere that I am leaving, so there is definitely a chance that I will stay.
“I’m open for a cup of coffee with the management – or coffee for them and water for me. We’ll see how it goes.”
The Dutchman, who largely operates as a left-sided forward, has represented PSV on 138 occasions in all competitions, contributing 45 goals and 35 assists in the process.
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan recently tipped Man United to win the race for Gakpo before the end of the summer transfer window.
“Gakpo is a tall player, with speed,” Van der Kraan told Sky Sports News. “He was voted Dutch Player of the Year by his fellow professional players and everyone in Eindhoven will be sad to lose him. He combines speed with a good left foot and skills.
“I always refer to Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie – he’s not at that level yet. But they came into the Premier League as left wingers and were turned into strikers under Arsene Wenger and did very well. He is slowly being transitioned into a striker because he has had some good coaching from [Ruud] van Nistelrooy.
“He is the kind of player Erik Ten Hag likes because he likes to play with wingers. For every Dutch player who goes to play in England, it takes time to adapt. With that in mind, I’m a bit concerned because Gakpo is outstanding in all the big Dutch big matches and in Europe.
“But playing in and out, I’m a bit concerned. I think eventually he will eventually be the top man at a big club and I could see him featuring for Manchester United but there are other top clubs in the bidding for wanting him. There are around five Premier League clubs after Gakpo. But if the choice is there, he will go to Manchester United.”
Gakpo provided an assist in the first leg of PSV’s Champions League playoff with Rangers, while he also played an important role in the Dutch side beating Monaco in the third qualifying round.
