Gakpo told he is ‘clearly not ready’ for Man Utd transfer as ‘monstrous striker operation’ confirmed

Joe Williams
Man Utd target Cody Gakpo puts his hand on his head in frustration

Cody Gakpo is “clearly not ready” to play for Man Utd in the Premier League, according to a pair of former Netherlands internationals.

The 23-year-old contributed 12 goals and 13 assists in 27 Eredivisie matches last campaign as PSV finished runners-up to Ajax in the Dutch top flight.

Gakpo, who has seven caps for the Netherlands, has started this season well too with five goals and an assist from six domestic matches to date.


Transfer gossip: Man Utd reject bid as Everton circle for forward; City p*ss star off through ‘fear’


Football Insider claimed on Thursday that Man Utd are about to make a final ‘£25million take-it-or-leave-it bid’ for Gakpo with their main focus on sealing a huge deal for Ajax winger Antony.

But former Netherlands international brothers Willy and Rene van de Kerkhof aren’t sure that Gakpo will be up to scratch if he does swap PSV for Man Utd.

“He is clearly not ready for the European top,” Rene told the Dutch duo’s podcast for Omroep Brabant. “If we get another €60m for him now we’ll take him there ourselves.”

Willy added: “In a foam box so nothing can happen on the way.

“He’s just not ready yet so I wonder if any clubs will fall for it. Although, in England they have so much money…”

A report earlier today from Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes was trying to tempt Man Utd into bidding for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, while also hoping the Serie A side will take the Portugal international in return.

Di Marzio said that the Premier League side would be expected to cough up more than €100m for the Nigeria international with a transfer described as ‘not easy’.

But his claims have now been backed up and confirmed by another source with Italian publication Tuttosport saying that Ronaldo is ‘thinking about’ a move to Napoli as Man Utd prepare a ‘monstrous operation’.

Ronaldo would move to Napoli on loan with Man Utd prepared to pay 75 per cent of his wages and the Red Devils would also fork out €100m to bring Osimhen in the other direction permanently.

It is said that ‘the dream could become reality’ for Napoli, who have spoken to Mendes about Ronaldo on numerous occasions.

The transfer is described as ‘very complex and involves several parties’ but with Champions League football on offer in Naples, the transfer has now ‘become a viable track thanks to the effective mediation’ of Mendes.

Erik ten Hag ‘gave his consent’ to technical director Darren Fletcher over a potential move for Osimhen and the Nigerian is ready to ‘accept the move’ to Old Trafford.

Osimhen would get a salary of around £10m a year while Man Utd have given up hope of discounting the deal for Osimhen with Ronaldo’s market value.