Manchester United Football Director John Murtough has “met” the agent of PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo in the “last fortnight”, according to The Athletic‘s Laurie Whitwell.

The reliable journalist says a meeting with Kees Vos, CEO of the SEG agency, has taken place recently, with it looking increasingly likely that an offer will be submitted for Gakpo during the January transfer window:

A look at Manchester United’s January options: Cody Gakpo under consideration. Recruitment staff not enamoured by low-cost forwards.#MUFC have only spent once in last three winter windows.

Cash reserves down to £24.3m, from £308m in June 2019.https://t.co/MqVm8I53bX

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) December 26, 2022

Gakpo’s asking price last summer was €50m (£44m) but, it should be pointed out, that PSV may ask for more than than that now after the forward had a strong World Cup.

It is believed that Murtough and club director Joel Glazer will need to make a decision over whether to take funds out of the club’s summer transfer budget in order to sign the player in January.

Other teams could also compete for Gakpo’s signature, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Southampton and Leeds having also been linked with the 23-year-old in the past, but it seems as if United are the likeliest to table a formal bid at the moment.