Manchester United decision to wait on Cody Gakpo looks like being a very costly mistake

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United’s huge £86 million deal to sign Antony finally went through on transfer deadline day, months after the club were first linked.

90Min reported United’s interest in Antony way back in February, and it took until September 1 for the club to finally conclude the deal.

By this time his price had rocketed, and the knock-on impact from this led to United stalling on a deal for Cody Gakpo.

The Telegraph reported in August that United had a £34 million move lined up for Gakpo. The big deal for Antony led to the decision to pass on signing Gakpo.

This now looks like a clear and costly error, with the hesitancy which drove up the Antony price early in the summer, now biting them with Gakpo.

Even at the extra expense of £34 million on top of the club’s summer spending – this fee now looks cheap, and United need a goalscorer. ESPN Netherlands report Gakpo is the top of the club’s list.

Decision to wait on Cody Gakpo has backfired

Gakpo has scored at a prolific rate for PSV Eindhoven this season. With goals and assists combined he has 35 goal contributions already this season for club and country.

This includes three goals in three games for Netherlands at the World Cup, where Gakpo’s star is signing brighter than ever before.

ITV pundit Joe Cole praised him after their win over Qatar, saying he believed he was worth £80 million. Former Dutch international Willy van der Kerkhof told Voetbal Primeur that PSV should seek £70 million.

The World Cup has highlighted Gakpo’s talent, and more and more clubs will take an interest.

Even if United hold the inside track, due to Erik ten Hag, who shares an agent with Gakpo, his price will be driven up.

There is a case that Gakpo’s performances this season have served to further underline his talent and show United how much he is needed, but this will backfire if the club end up missing out.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure creates room for Gakpo in United’s attack. However, it would have been a lot smarter to have made this change in the summer, when Ronaldo first wanted to leave.

Now United face paying a premium to sign the forward, or will be forced to look elsewhere, even suffering the humiliation of seeing him sign for a rival.