Mark Goldbridge revealed his excitement at an update on Manchester United’s pursuit of Cody Gakpo.
It was recently reported by The Telegraph that Gakpo wants to play for United and Erik ten Hag with a €50m (£43.5m) price tag slapped on the Dutch star.
United were previously after the PSV Eindhoven dynamo in the summer but a move never came to fruition as the club opted to bring in Antony from Ajax for £81.3m, meaning their summer spending couldn’t accommodate a move for Gakpo, who could be ‘special’ at Old Trafford.
But those reports never went away and the Red Devils look set to go back in for the 23-year-old who’s bagged nine goals and 12 assists in the Dutch top-flight, as well as three goals in the Netherlands’ World Cup quarter-final run.
Goldbridge spoke about the new Gakpo reports on The United Stand YouTube channel and his chances of a January move to Old Trafford.
(1:10) “I’m 70% sure we will sign Gakpo, I think he’s the most logical signing when you look at the fact we tried to sign him in August but run out of money.
“He’s a player ten Hag clearly wants, he’s a developmental player, he’s a player that could play across three or four positions in the front line and in January he’s probably one of the best options that’s available.
“The most significant update for me is that Cody Gakpo wants to join Manchester United.”
(2:25) “For me it’s very encouraging.”
TIF Thoughts on Goldbridge’s comments…
From the recent reports, which are sure to have been leaked from a representative of the player, and his reluctance to move elsewhere in the summer window after the United push had halted, it does seem a matter of when, not if, that he becomes a Premier League player.
The Red Devils need a new forward after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure and Gakpo’s form, profile and availability make him an obvious target.
With Jadon Sancho not part of ten Hag’s plans for the restart due to physical and mental fitness issues, a move as early as possible would be expected with United in need of a new forward to replace the Portuguese and absent Sancho.