Manchester United already have a “personal agreement” with the representatives of PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo, according to Eindhovens Dagblad reporter Rik Elfrink.
The Dutch journalist says that, while United have not made a formal approach for the 23-year-old, discussions have been held with his agents ahead of a potential move:
Zonder bod van Manchester United blijft PSV nog even uitgaan van een langer verblijf van Cody Gakpo. Met zijn agenten hebben de Britten wel een soort van persoonlijk akkoord. Ze weten de prijs (50+). Als het tot een bod komt deze week, kan het snel gaan. Na woensdag sowieso.
— Rik Elfrink (@RikElfrink) August 21, 2022
Gakpo is believed to be the backup plan if a bid for Ajax’s Antony collapses, so it makes perfect sense to have personal terms sorted just in case the Red Devils make a late dash to sign the player before the transfer window shuts.
As Elfrink mentions, the Netherlands international is expected to cost considerably less than Antony at around €50m (£42m). It is, therefore, likely that a deal could be wrapped up pretty quickly if United table an official offer, as long as other interested clubs (such as Arsenal) don’t also get involved.
There have been some reports in Holland that manager Erik ten Hag wants to sign BOTH Gakpo and Antony but those claims haven’t been backed up by sources in the UK.