£43m signing would not be Ronaldo replacement at Old Trafford – GiveMeSport

Manchester United target Cody Gakpo would not necessarily be seen as a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement, with the Red Devils interested in bringing the PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands forward to Erik ten Hag’s squad at Old Trafford in January, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Gakpo is currently on World Cup duty with Louis van Gaal’s Oranje side as they look ahead to Saturday’s last 16 tie with the USA.

Man Utd transfer news – Cody Gakpo

According to PSV’s former technical director John de Jong who was speaking to NOS (via The Sun), Gakpo has been “waiting a long time” for a transfer to Manchester United, before a move to Old Trafford fell through at the end of the summer window.

The wide man is currently having a stormer of a World Cup tournament, having scored three goals in the Netherlands’ campaign so far.

Last week, Fabrizio Romano suggested that PSV will be looking at a deal worth around £43m for the Eredivisie star’s services, which is the same transfer stance they took during the summer transfer window.

And Jones believes that ten Hag needed another forward for his Red Devils squad, even before the club terminated Ronaldo’s contract after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

What has Jones said about Gakpo and Man Utd?

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t necessarily think Gakpo would be a Ronaldo replacement.

“But obviously, there is a forward needed and I think that signing one forward is the most likely option at this point, whether or not you would directly see them as a replacement for Ronaldo or not.”

What next for Gakpo?

Whilst a move to one of Europe’s top leagues seems on the cards for Gakpo shortly, his immediate focus will be on helping the Netherlands to a successful World Cup campaign, with the nation having missed out on the last edition of the tournament in 2018.

An excellent showing in the latter stages of the competition may just be what PSV would like to see from their star talent, with the club likely to be able to demand more than the aforementioned £43m initially suggested.

Gakpo’s club stats have all the makings of a European star ahead of a potential move to United, with the winger having scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists in 24 appearances this season, according to Transfermarkt.

Therefore, the 12-time Netherlands international may feel that it’s time for a step up to one of Europe’s top leagues, and a move to Old Trafford seems like a move that would suit both club and player during the January transfer window.

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