Man United ‘will face competition from Real Madrid’ for £50m Dutch star Cody Gakpo after PSV forward’s stunning World Cup as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his attack after Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit
Manchester United will reportedly face competition from Real Madrid for £50million Holland hotshot Cody Gakpo as they search for a new forward.
PSV Eindhoven star Gakpo, 23, impressed at the World Cup with three goals in five matches as Holland made the quarter-finals.
United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly made Gakpo his No 1 transfer target having considered a swoop for him back in the summer.
Holland striker Cody Gakpo is in demand after his strong World Cup performances with Real Madrid reportedly joining Manchester United and Newcastle in expressing an interest
United manager Erik ten Hag would like to add another option to his forward line in January
Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ten Hag feels an additional attacking option is needed with Gakpo primarily a left winger for PSV but a centre forward for his country.
However, the Daily Mirror report that United would face stiff competition from Newcastle and also Real Madrid, who have stepped up their interest since Gakpo’s World Cup performances.
Gakpo came within hours of joining Leeds United over the summer before PSV pulled the plug on the deal.
He has since scored 13 goals and contributed 17 assists in all competitions for PSV, whose director of football Marcel Brands admitted this week Gakpo could be sold in the January window.
Gakpo, 23, showed his qualities by scoring three times during the group stages in Qatar
PSV are likely to demand a high price for losing Gakpo, however, with the fee set to be at least £50m.
Brands told PSV supporters’ club talk show Eeuwing Trouw: ‘You have to be realistic. When you talk about Cody Gakpo and the price tag, how many clubs are able to buy a player of that calibre?
‘You are talking about maybe 10 or 12 clubs in Europe. 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.
PSV Eindhoven are set to demand at least £50million for a player attracting plenty of interest
‘We have yet to see if it all happens. He has no clause or anything and no amount 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 to.
‘It must be a record transfer for PSV anyway. Then you know in which direction it should go.’
Man United are also reportedly interested in Portugal star Goncalo Ramos, who could replace Ronaldo once again.
The club are set to make an enquiry to Benfica about Ramos during the January window.
Manchester United are interested in Goncalo Ramos as they look to sign a new striker
It means he could yet again replace Cristiano Ronaldo who he relegated to the bench in Qatar
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