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Man United will ‘face competition from Real Madrid’ for £50m Dutch star Cody Gakpo after the PSV striker’s impressive World Cup as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his attack after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United will ‘face competition from Real Madrid’ for £50m Netherlands star Cody Gakpo as they search for a new striker.
PSV Eindhoven star Gakpo, 23, impressed at the World Cup with three goals in five games as the Netherlands reached the quarterfinals.
United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly made Gakpo his number one transfer target after considering a coup for him in the summer.
Dutch striker Cody Gakpo is in demand after his strong World Cup performances with Real Madrid, reportedly joining Manchester United and Newcastle in expressing interest.
United manager Erik ten Hag would like to add another option to his forward line in January.
Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ten Hag feels an additional attacking option is needed with Gakpo primarily as a left back for PSV but a center forward for his country.
However the daily mirror report that United would face stiff competition from Newcastle and also from Real Madrid, who have increased their interest since Gakpo’s World Cup performances.
Gakpo arrived within hours of joining Leeds United over the summer before PSV canceled the deal.
Since then, he has scored 13 goals and contributed 17 assists in all competitions for PSV, whose director of football Marcel Brands admitted this week that Gakpo could be sold in the January window.
Gakpo, 23, showed his qualities by scoring three goals in the group stage in Qatar
However, PSV are likely to demand a heavy price for losing Gakpo, with a fee set at at least £50m.
Brands told the PSV supporters’ talk show Trouw: ‘You have to be realistic. When you talk about Cody Gakpo and the price, how many clubs can buy a player of that caliber?
‘You are talking about maybe 10 or 12 clubs in Europe. You have to need a player in that position and power and be willing to spend the money in January, which is usually less hectic than the summer.
PSV Eindhoven are ready to demand at least £50m for a player who attracts a lot of interest
‘We still have to see if everything happens. It has no clause or anything and no amount has been agreed upon either.
‘The agreements that were made were there before my time. No amounts have been discussed, but if the right club comes along that Cody would like to go to.
Regardless, it must be a record transfer for PSV. So you know in which direction it should go.
Man United are also reportedly interested in Portugal star Goncalo Ramos, who could replace Ronaldo once again.
The club is ready to consult Benfica about Ramos during the January window.
Manchester United are interested in Goncalo Ramos as they look to sign a new striker
It means he could replace Cristiano Ronaldo again, whom he relegated to the bench in Qatar