Manchester United 'will sign Cody Gakpo in January'

PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo will reportedly join Manchester United when the January transfer window opens for business.

The Red Devils are now believed to be planning to sign a new forward at the start of 2023 following Cristiano Ronaldo's exit, with the 37-year-old leaving on a free transfer.

Gakpo held talks with Man United over the summer, but the 20-time English champions ultimately decided against a move for the Netherlands international after agreeing a deal with Ajax for Antony.

The 23-year-old has been in impressive form for PSV during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring nine goals and registering 12 assists in 14 Eredivisie appearances.

Meanwhile, he found the back of the net on three occasions in five appearances in the group stage of the Europa League, in addition to providing two assists.

© Reuters

Gakpo also scored for the Netherlands in their 2022 World Cup opener against Senegal on Monday to make it four goals in 10 appearances for the national team.

The Dutchman recently suggested that he would see out the season at PSV before leaving next summer.

"I think at the end of this season I will be ready to take that step. I feel like I was already that way at the start of this season, but after this season I'm even more ready to take that next step," Gakpo told NOS.

"Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, ​​Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. It would be an honour to play there, but I also have to see what kind of team would suit me best."

However, according to Portuguese transfer insider Pedro Almeida, the forward will make the move to Old Trafford during the January transfer window.

© Reuters

In total, Gakpo has represented PSV on 159 occasions in all competitions, contributing 55 goals and 50 assists in the process, with the bulk of those outings coming in the Eredivisie.

"I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United," Gakpo recently told The Times.

"In the end the deal didn't go through, which was a shame, for me and my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club."

Ronaldo's exit has left the Red Devils short of options at centre-forward, with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford now the club's only recognised strikers.

Martial has had his injury problems this season, though, while Rashford has expressed a desire to play from the left rather than as the main focal point.