Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd transfer news: Sky Sports man gives Gakpo update but outlines three reasons why Ten Hag might not get any January signings

PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo

Manchester United are in the market for an attacker and Cody Gakpo remains on their radar, according to a Sky Sports reporter, but there is a “significant chance” no new players will arrive at Old Trafford in January.

Back in the summer, for Erik ten Hag’s first transfer window as Manchester United manager, the club brought in several new recruits. Lisandro Martinez and Antony followed Ten Hag from Ajax, while Tyrell Malacia also moved from an Eredivisie side, Feyenoord.

In addition, Christian Eriksen signed on a free transfer, they bought Casemiro from Real Madrid and added Martin Dubravka on loan from Newcastle.

However, as the January transfer window approaches, Man Utd might have to get back into the market.

Cristiano Ronaldo recently left the club after his controversial interview with Piers Morgan for Talk TV. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner confessed a lack of respect for Ten Hag, so has been released from his contract.

Despite not starting much in the first half of the season, Ronaldo will obviously leave a major void to fill. Therefore, Man Utd might be looking at attacking players for January.

In that regard, they are planning another pursuit of an Eredivisie player. This time, PSV goal-getter Cody Gakpo is on their radar once more.

Now, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has included Gakpo among the business Man Utd might do in January. However, Sheth has warned that Ten Hag might not be able to welcome anyone new to his squad this winter.

Man Utd might miss out on January transfers

Sheth said on air: “It’s my information that United are looking at forward players and at right-backs. But, there is a significant chance that they will not sign anyone at all in this January transfer window.

“I’ve been told that PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo, who impressed so much during the World Cup, is one of a few forward players that Manchester United have been looking at.

“You’ll remember they held talks over signing Gakpo over the summer. But then when Antony became more affordable as far as United were concerned – because he was always their first choice – they ended up pursuing Antony.

“Now, it is interesting to note that Erik ten Hag has said the following – that United want to bring in a forward, ‘but only when we find the right player’.

“That’s because United are very wary of valuations, not only because when a Premier League club goes into the market with a foreign club, the foreign clubs’ eyes light up because they think they can charge more, that’s one factor.

“Factor number two: it’s always difficult doing business during the January transfer window. So put those two together and the price will go up.

“Add to that, we’ve got the unique situation where players may have used the World Cup in a unique time. It’s never happened at this point before, before a January transfer window, as a shop window.

“So those three factors sadly boost any kind of price for some of these players, well, well, much much much higher than probably teams are prepared to pay.”

Ten Hag might stick with what he has

As Sheth stated, the attacking areas are not the only position of concern for Man Utd. Right-back is also somewhere they are looking at due to Aaron Wan-Bissaka being out of form.

Therefore, they could consider adding more competition for Diogo Dalot. But all eyes will be on whether they invest in a goalscorer further up the field.

After all, Dalot has been in decent enough form. Perhaps there are bigger issues at the opposite end of the pitch. Out of the current top 10 in the Premier League, only Chelsea have scored fewer goals than Ten Hag’s side so far this season.

But if they have to wait until the summer to rectify their issues, Ten Hag will have to make do with what he has.

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