23-Year-Old Star Disclose His Connection to Man United Move Issue
23-Year-Old Star Disclose His Connection to Man United Move Issue.
In the midst of all the speculations and rumors bouncing around, Cody Gakpo finally reveals he spoke to Erik ten Hag ‘a few times’ about a move to Manchester United. He is one of Europe’s rising stars and United was at the front of the queue to secure his signature as some of the continent’s top clubs came calling for him.
Big things are expected of the 23-year-old, who has scored nine goals in ten games for the Dutch side this season, but he will have to wait for a big move after being denied a switch to Old Trafford – and he has now revealed how he was inches away from donning the famous red shirt.
‘I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United,’ he told the Times.
RELATED: Man United First 11 Striker Receives Free Move Interest Offer From Arsenal
‘In the end, the deal didn’t go through, which was a shame, for me and my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.’
Gakpo previously claimed United’s attempts to sign him were ‘rushed’ as they eventually opted to sign Ajax winger Antony instead in an £85million deal – and also claimed talks began just a week before the transfer deadline.
After both parties pulled the plug, he claims he received two further approaches from Premier League clubs, before turning both of those down in favor of staying at his boyhood club PSV.
He said it was ‘not a punishment to stay in Holland, but is still considering a move to England in the future.
‘It ended about a week before the end of the transfer window and in that week I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton. In the end, I stayed, but it was a stressful period.’
‘I always said if I stay here, it’s my childhood club. It’s not a punishment. I like being here, I want to win trophies here and do my best for the club.
‘But if I got the chance to go to the Premier League or something, of course, I would have to consider that option. At that time it was hectic for me but I recovered pretty quickly.’
READ ALSO: Manchester United Considering Better Options As Their 1st Keeper Is Yet To Sign Extension
Speaking in September, Gakpo – who has picked up nine caps for Holland, scoring three goals – gave further details about talks with United, calling them ‘rushed’.
‘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.’
‘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.’
‘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.’
MORE: Manchester United Best Calm Moves Pays As They Secure 3 Points Over Host
