Man United’s desperate search for a forward has reportedly led them to register an interest in PSV winger Cody Gakpo.
Sportsmail revealed in April that Arsenal held talks with the Dutch international over a summer move, while the 23-year-old has also been linked with Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Gakpo – who has netted twice in seven international matches – scored 21 goals and set up a further 15 in 47 games last season to help PSV push eventual champions Ajax all the way in the 2021-22 Eredivisie.
But ESPN now claim United have made their interest known in the Holland star – who is valued at £35m – but have yet to submit a bid.
The Dutch outfit are unlikely to accept a lower figure, particularly as former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side are still in with a chance of qualifying for this season’s Champions League group stages.
PSV go into Tuesday’s second leg of their tie in the third Champions League qualifying round against Monaco all square, and could make the group stages if they beat the Ligue 1 side and also emerge victorious from the two-legged play-off round.
However, the report claims Gakpo – who scored twice in PSV’s 4-1 opening-day win against FC Emmen on Saturday – would be keen to move to United if terms are agreed.
Erik ten Hag admitted after United’s defeat at home to Brighton on Sunday he needs more forwards in his squad, with the club having been frustrated in their pursuit of one this summer until now.
The report claims they were priced out of a move for Ajax winger Antony after the Dutch champions dramatically upped their asking price for the in-demand winger from £68m to £84m.
The Red Devils have also been pipped by RB Leipzig to Benjamin Sesko, 19, from sister club Salzburg, with the Slovenia international joining the German Bundesliga side next summer after another year on loan at the Austrian outfit.
United had been aware that Red Bull were keen for Sesko to remain within their group and have been looking at alternatives such as Austria internationals Marko Arnautovic of Bologna and Sasa Kalajdzic at Stuttgart.
United have had a £7.5m offer rejected by Bologna for Arnautovic with the player’s brother Danijel pushing to get a deal agreed.
United have also lined up Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot as an alternative to Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona.
Some reports suggest a £15m fee has been agreed for the France international, with the next hurdle agreeing personal terms with the 27-year-old’s notorious mother Veronique.
