
Manchester United
Premier League • England
Euro Paper Talk: Ten Hag told prolific attacker on Haaland level is desperate to make Man Utd transfer; Leeds eye 40-goal striker as Patrick Bamford upgrade

Manchester United have been told Cody Gakpo only wants a move to Old Trafford, Leeds Utd are pushing to sign a new striker in January, while Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Tottenham have permission to sign a Sassuolo midfielder.
CODY GAKPO TO PRIORITISE MAN UTD MOVE OVER ALL OTHERS
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been handed a timely boost in the chase to sign Cody Gakpo.
The Red Devils looked long and hard at Gakpo over the summer, even agreeing personal terms with the star. However, they cooled their interest once it became apparent that Ajax were willing to sell Antony. Having spent over £200m in the summer, United’s budget did not stretch enough to also bring in Gakpo.
However, there reportedly remains a feeling of regret from Ten Hag over his failure to land Gakpo.
The PSV star is the reigning Eredivisie Player of the Year, having scored 21 times and adding 15 assists last season. But he is well on course to shatter that this season, having already amassed 26 goals contributions in his first 20 games of 2022/23.
That tally puts him well ahead of all of his peers across Europe’s top six leagues. Indeed, only Erling Haaland (25 goal contributions in 15 games) is ahead of the Netherlands star.
That form has increased interest in his services, with a report earlier this week suggesting Arsenal were ready to hijack the Gakpo transfer.
Cody Gakpo settles on Man Utd switch
But it’s now suggested that Cody Gakpo only has eyes for Manchester United.
As such, the 23-year-old is reportedly willing to put all other interest aside and wait on a move to Old Trafford.
Having already branded United “one of the biggest clubs in the world”, they are now reportedly the attacker’s No 1 transfer choice.
A move certainly looks possible in the January window too, with PSV seemingly having to sell for around £40m.
That’s also a view shared by transfer expert Dean Jones, who told Givemesport he expects United to step up the chase.
“He’s been brilliant this season for PSV and there’s no doubt that he is going to be looking for a transfer in 2023. So I still think he’s a player that people should take seriously in the Premier League for a transfer.
“I still think that, probably, Man United are more likely to land him than Arsenal.”
LEEDS HAVE EYES ON SALZBURG FORWARD
Leeds United are pushing AC Milan hard over a deal to sign Red Bull Salzburg striker Noah Okafor in January. The 40-goal striker is seen by Victor Orta as the man to stick away the numerous chances the side are creating. (Calciomercato)
Claudio Lotito insists Lazio plan to offer Sergej Milinkovic-Savic a new deal to ward off Man Utd and PSG. (Il Messaggero)
Benjamin Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic, has been spotted sharing a suite with Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali during the Blues’ Champions League clash with RB Salzburg. (Jeuneux Footeaux)
Man Utd want one of Porto’s Diogo Costa or Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon as a replacement for David de Gea. (The Athletic)
Sassuolo are ‘ready to sell’ star midfielder Hamed Junior Traore for a big fee this winter, following links to Tottenham, West Ham and Brighton. (Milan Live)
Arsenal and new suitors Man City have been warned that any deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk will cost more than Man Utd paid for Antony. (Calciomercato)
TOTTENHAM BALK AT NEW ALESSANDRO BASTONI ASKING PRICE
Tottenham are cooling their interest in Alessandro Bastoni amid claims he will cost up to £52m (€60m). (Fabrizio Romano)
Ansu Fati is pushing to leave Barcelona after becoming dismayed at a lack of chances since the signing of Raphinha. (Sport)
Bayern Munich are considering an approach to sign Ilkay Gundogan next summer with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic a huge fan. (90min)
Barcelona are close to reaching an agreement to sign Ruben Neves in January as a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquests. (Sport)
It is too early to say if Unai Emery will try and bring Yeremy Pino to Aston Villa in January amid talk of a £43.4m (€50m) deal. (Fabrizio Romano)
NAPOLI RULE OUT RONALDO, OSIMHEN, MAN UTD RUMOURS
Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez admits he would one day like to return to Atletico Madrid. (Partidazo Cope)
Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli insists his side are not planning to sell Man Utd target Victor Osimhen in January. (DAZN)
Giuntoli is also adamant his side are not planning any fresh approach to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the club. (DAZN)
Inter president Steven Zhang insists Tottenham, Man Utd and PSG target Milan Skriniar is not for sale at any price. (Sky Italia)
Chelsea continue to monitor Denzel Dumfries ahead of the January window, amid claims a big-money bid is in the works. (90min)
Juventus are aiming to tie 19-year-old English winger Samuel Iling-Junior to a new long-term deal. (Calciomercato)