Manchester United’s summer spending spree ended up crossing the £200 million mark as six new players arrived at Old Trafford amidst a lot of fanfare.
Erik ten Hag had prioritised the defence and midfield as areas in most need of reinforcements.
Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez arrived to shore up the defence while Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were recruited to bolster options in the middle of the park.
There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo‘s future with the Portuguese looking to depart for a Champions League club.
Summer targets for Utd
United had two players in mind for their attacking department — Antony and Cody Gakpo. Initially, the Red Devils had thought that the Brazilian could be signed for £50 million and they would have funds left over to launch a £25 million bid for Gakpo.
🚨🇳🇱| Manchester United remain interested in signing the Dutch international winger Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven in the next twelve months.
[@sampilger via @Forbes] #MUFC 🔴 pic.twitter.com/glR9vZfWCB
— UtdActive 🔴 (@UtdActive) September 27, 2022
However, Ajax kept playing hardball over Antony’s price and it eventually crossed the £85 million mark and United conceded defeat in their chase for both attackers.
With Ronaldo also ending up staying at United, the need to add Gakpo to United’s attacking armoury diminished and the move fizzled out despite the agreement on personal terms.
Leeds and Southampton both had Deadline Day bids rejected and Forbes have mentioned in their report that “the player opted to remain in The Netherlands, aware that United were likely to come back for him.”
Despite his dream move not working out, the 23-year-old has not lost his appetite for goals and has scored 10 times in 13 games in all competitions, including 8 goals in 7 games in the Eredivisie.
Gakpo in 2023
Coupled with impressive form for The Netherlands, Erik ten Hag’s pursuit of the player seems vindicated and “made it more likely United will seek to conclude a deal in the near future.”
Sam Pilger adds in his article that with Ronaldo sure to leave next summer, a new approach for the PSV star is on the horizon. Both Gakpo and Ten Hag have the same agency, something which is likely to aid matters in the future.
“United do not believe they would experience as much resistance from PSV as they faced with Ajax during the deal to sign Antony. Gakpo has an understanding with PSV that he can leave if they receive an offer at a certain level.”
Gakpo’s current level of performances show how much of a threat he can be from wide as well as from central areas. A deal for him would represent smart business from the Red Devils in a market devoid of world-class attackers.
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