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Cody Gakpo claims Man United’s attempts to sign him were ‘rushed and last minute’ and was convinced he would join Erik ten Hag’s men until LAST WEEK before ‘the option faded’… as he reveals Holland boss Louis van Gaal warned him off the deal
- Cody Gakpo has criticised Manchester United’s handling of their interest
- United tried to sign the winger but never agreed a deal with Dutch club PSV
- Gakpo said he believed he would join Erik ten Hag’s side up until last week
- He also said Louis van Gaal told him a move in a World Cup year was ‘not ideal’
- Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates
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Manchester United transfer target Cody Gakpo was banking on a move to Old Trafford up until as recently as last week, according to a report.
United were interested in the Dutch forward but never reached an agreement with PSV Eindhoven, instead settling for one forward through the door in the form of Brazil midfielder Antony, with Gakpo branding the attempted move ‘rushed and last minute.’
Via soccernews.nl, Gakpo told PSV TV that the move faded ‘completely last week before ‘PSV came up with a good offer.’
PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo was a target for Manchester United in the transfer window
Gakpo believed he would join Erik ten Hag’s United side up until as recently as last week
‘Until last week I thought I would go to Manchester United,’ said the 23-year-old.
‘In the last week I looked at all options. In the end PSV came up with a good offer and that turned out to be the right choice for me.
‘Manchester United had reported at the beginning of the transfer window. We were waiting for that a bit.
‘The signals became more and more positive and at a certain point I thought it might fall in that direction.
‘That option faded a bit and completely last week,’ continued Gakpo. ‘We worked the whole window towards it.’
The forward decided to stay in Holland despite late interest from Southampton and Everton
The forward, via The Sun, also criticised the English side for their handling of the saga.
After the move to United fell through, he was linked with Southampton and Everton, before eventually deciding to stay in Holland.
‘Last week I thought I was going to Manchester,’ he said.
‘Then it was “choose another club” and decide whether I wanted to go there. That is not nice for PSV and also not for me, because it felt rushed.’
Holland manager Louis van Gaal told Gakpo that moving in a World Cup year is ‘not ideal’
Gakpo has made seven appearances for Holland and is set to be in their squad for Qatar
‘I sat in the office with my family and my management until the night. That’s where I made the decision. Then it all falls off a bit, you feel good again and you can sleep a little better.’
Gakpo too revealed how former Manchester United and currant Holland manager Louis van Gaal told him a move just before the World Cup ‘would not be ideal’ because he’d have to get used to a new environment.
‘I had called the trainer and asked for advice,’ he said. ‘That advice was clear that I had to follow my gut, but also that a transfer in a season that includes the World Cup would not be ideal.
‘You come somewhere else, you have to get used to that. I agreed with him.’