Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted he might not be able to stop Cody Gakpo from leaving PSV Eindhoven amid interest from Manchester United.
As quoted by 90min, former Manchester United forward and PSV Eindhoven manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted the fact that Cody Gakpo might be on his way out of the Dutch club.
Gakpo has been the subject of severe interest from several clubs, including Manchester United, who also tried their hands at bringing the player in the summer. But PSV rejected a move at that time as they were unwilling to part ways with their top asset and refused to budge into their demand.
However, a magnificent campaign at the 2022 FIFA World Cup has turned Gakpo’s heads. And the Dutch international might be on the verge of making his first big move in his brief career.
The 23-year-old came through the PSV youth system and starred in the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign before they crashed out of the quarter-final following a loss to Argentina.
PSV’s director of football Marcel Brands had earlier reiterated that the youngster can only leave if they receive a club record bid. And echoing the same, Ruud van Nistelrooy has explained that the Dutch club won’t really manage to restrict a move if a lucrative offer comes in.
“If I have the choice, I prefer [Gakpo to leave in] the summer, but it can also be now. You just know there comes a time when you can’t say no.”
Primarily a left winger, the 23-year-old can alter his approach from other positions. But Manchester United are pretty well-stocked in the wide-attacking department and are in dire need of a more natural centre-forward.
The PSV talisman has already lit up the Eredivisie with his goal-scoring skills. But United cannot afford to have another Memphis Depay-like situation under their watch. The Barcelona forward arrived from PSV in 2015 amidst much fanfare but did not have much luck as he failed to justify his selection on most occasions, and the Red Devils were forced to offload him two years later.
Gakpo already has generated significant interest, Manchester and United might have to exceed the €50 million barrier to convince PSV to hand the player over to them next month.
