Manchester United are reportedly ready to reignite their interest in PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo ahead of the New Year.
The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from the Dutch outfit during the summer transfer window, with United, Arsenal, Southampton and Leeds United all credited with an interest.
The Red Devils appeared to be leading the race for Gakpo's signature towards the end of the window and they allegedly reached an agreement with the attacker over personal terms.
However, a proposed switch for the Netherlands international to Old Trafford failed to materialise, with Erik ten Hag's side instead completing the £85m signing of Antony from Ajax.
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Speaking to PSV TV after the transfer window had shut, Gakpo said: "Manchester United had reported at the beginning of the transfer window. We were waiting for that a bit.
"The signals became more and more positive and at a certain point I thought it might fall in that direction. That option faded a bit and completely last week. We worked the whole window towards it. Until last week I thought I would go to Manchester United."
Meanwhile, PSV director of football Marcel Brands claimed that Gakpo had become unsettled in the latter stages of the transfer window after learning of interest from the Red Devils.
"Cody has had a difficult preparation with us because he has spoken with Manchester United," Brands told Dutch news outlet ED.
"They didn't come until mid-August and didn't go through. I even think Cody wouldn't have left at the end of the transfer window, if the right amount had been offered. There has been no bid that approached the lower bound of what we agreed with Cody."
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According to Forbes, Man United still hold an interest in Gakpo and will look to pursue a deal for the Dutchman within the next 12 months.
United's need to bolster their attacking options could increase should they decide to part ways with Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
The 37-year-old has less than 12 months remaining on his contract and has recently been linked with a potential switch to Saudi Arabia giants Al-Hilal.
Gakpo, who is valued in the region of £25m, has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2022-23 campaign with PSV, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in 13 appearances across all competitions.
The 6ft 2in attacker also contributed with one goal and one assists in the Netherlands' UEFA Nations League victories over Poland and Belgium, helping Louis van Gaal's side progress to next year's semi-finals.
Oliver Thomas
