£43m star ‘could be Ten Hag’s new striker’ at Old Trafford

Manchester United target Cody Gakpo would play out wide and up front for the Red Devils if he ends up moving to Old Trafford, believes journalist Dean Jones.

The Netherlands international is thought to be a target for Erik ten Hag, and Jones expects the former Ajax manager to use his compatriot in more than one position should he get his hands on him.

Man United transfer news – Cody Gakpo

According to 90min, Ten Hag is pushing United to sign Gakpo after missing out on him during the summer.

The outlet states that the United boss wanted the PSV Eindhoven star in the previous transfer window but was not handed him due to the Red Devils already forking out on Antony, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez.

With Gakpo impressing with the Netherlands at the World Cup, though, it looks like Ten Hag could now get his wish.

As per the same 90min report, Gakpo has convinced United’s hierarchy that he is ready for a move to the Premier League with his performances in Qatar. Regarding how much he could cost, the reliable Fabrizio Romano recently told The United Stand that PSV could be ready to do business at around €50m (£43m).

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Dean Jones said about Cody Gakpo and Man United?

Jones can see Gakpo playing out wide and up front at Old Trafford.

When asked if Ten Hag could deploy the 23-year-old winger as a striker, just as the Netherlands have at this year’s World Cup, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Yeah, definitely. I think he’d play both, though, and I think that’s the beauty of it, that Ten Hag would have even more fluidity in his squad.”

How did Gakpo perform in the World Cup group stage?

Gakpo was excellent. As already mentioned, he spent the majority of it playing up front and managed to deliver there.

As per Transfermarkt, the PSV man started the Netherlands’ games against Ecuador and Qatar as a forward and was able to score in both of them.

He managed to find the back of the net in his country’s opening match versus Senegal, too, grabbing the first goal in their 2-0 win.

At club level, Gakpo has also been quite effective this season. In 14 Eredivisie appearances for PSV, he has registered nine times, helping to take his side to third in the table.

Ultimately, it is not hard to see why Ten Hag wants him at Old Trafford. You would imagine, though, that there will now be a lot of competition for his signature.

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