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Manchester United: Red Devils set to walk away from Cody Gakpo deal
Manchester United are now ‘unlikely’ to proceed with a deal for PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
The Lowdown: Gakpo offer made
Football Insider claimed last week that the Premier League giants had submitted a £25m take-it-or-leave-it-bid for the 23-year-old, who is represented by the same agency (SEG) as Erik ten Hag, with the manager giving the green light to sign him.
However, the Red Devils have now agreed an £85m deal for Ajax starlet Antony after weeks of negotiations, and it would appear that this has changed the Old Trafford club’s stance on the Dutch winger.
The Latest: United’s change of heart
Taking to Twitter on Sunday afternoon, Sheth revealed that United are set to walk away from the Gakpo deal as a result of securing Antony.
Citing an ‘increased confidence’ in landing the Brazilian, the Sky Sports reporter stated: “United now unlikely to pursue deal for Cody Gakpo. He started for PSV today.”
The Verdict: Wrong decision
Antony has been a long-time target for United, so it will be a huge boost that they have seemingly managed to secure him, but that shouldn’t necessarily have stopped them from going after Gakpo.
The 6 foot 2 star, who was hailed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig for being on ‘another level’, was named Eredivisie’s Footballer of the Year in 2021/22 after recording 25 goal contributions in just 27 league games (Transfermarkt).
Whilst United’s previous bid didn’t amount to anything, £25m is a lot cheaper than the £85m reportedly set to be paid for Antony; and for someone who could have offered plenty in the final third, the Red Devils have missed out on the chance to sign an absolute gem.
In the same league as Gakpo in 2021/22, United’s imminent new recruit managed just 12 goal contributions, so it’s mind-boggling that they’d pay so much for the seemingly less effective player.
