Cody Gakpo told to reject Liverpool as huge Man Utd attraction emerges; Ten Hag sent January transfer advice

Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo has been urged to join Manchester United over Liverpool or any of his other suitors, while Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has also been issued with January transfer advice.

Gakpo is highly likely to move on from PSV this winter. Following his three goals at the World Cup, he is one of the hottest properties in Europe right now. And PSV are open about him leaving, as long as they receive the right price.

“Only 10/12 clubs can afford Cody Gakpo in January,” PSV Director of Football Marcel Brands said recently. “Let’s see if it will happen — it has to be PSV record sale and also the right bid for Cody’s plans.

“We have still no official bids. Let’s see if some club will pay big money in January.”

The Dutch club’s current record sale is the £38.5m departure of Hirving Lozano to Napoli back in August 2019. Therefore, Man Utd know they have to spend more than this to capture Gakpo.

The Telegraph provided an update on the transfer pursuit on Saturday. They claim Man Utd are readying a €50m (£43m) offer for Gakpo in January.

Liverpool are also considering a bid for the 23-year-old. However, John Barnes recently warned Gakpo he wouldn’t get into the starting eleven if he went to Anfield.

Now, former Netherlands defender Mario Melchiot has given his verdict on the PSV man. He reckons Gakpo should go to Man Utd based on the attraction of playing under compatriot Ten Hag.

Man Utd urged to fast-track Cody Gakpo signing

Melchiot also urged Man Utd to get the deal over the line as soon as possible, as Gakpo will become even more costly next summer.

“If you want a good player – and Gakpo is talented, fast, he has everything – don’t wait too long,” Melchiot said during an appearance on talkSPORT.

“The price will become too expensive. So they should go after him right now.”

Melchiot added: “If someone asked me, I would say go to a Dutch manager.

“You need to make sure you go to a team that plays attacking football, you know where you’re going to play – and you need to be sure you can handle that.

“The Dutch league is very technical and tactical. In England, you need an extra third part, and that is character.”

Man Utd certainly looks like the best next club for Gakpo. If he went to Liverpool, he would have to get into the team ahead of Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino or Luis Diaz – once the Colombian returns from injury.

Of course, Man Utd also have strong attacking options with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho in Ten Hag’s squad.

But they are on the lookout for a new striker following the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract in November. And Gakpo is on his way to becoming a top-class central striker, having adapted from being a left winger.

This means there is a starting spot essentially waiting for Gakpo at Old Trafford, should that move go through.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s Transfer Gossip claims Man Utd are ready to spend £200m in a massive double midfield raid.