Cody Gakpo has spilled the beans on his failed transfer to Manchester United, revealing that a move to Old Trafford was on the cards before he ultimately joined Liverpool.
The 25-year-old Dutch sensation was on Erik ten Hag’s radar after the manager took over in May 2022 and had already brought in Lisandro Martinez and Antony from Ajax.
Ten Hag was keen to bolster his attack with Gakpo, but a sudden twist saw the deal collapse as negotiations hit a wall. The forward chose to remain at PSV Eindhoven, where he notched up his first career hat-trick against FC Volendam just before the transfer deadline.
In the next window, he made the switch to Anfield, signing a long-term contract. Opening up to TNT Sports about the saga, Gakpo revealed: “In the summer of 2022 I was almost planning to leave and I almost went to United at the end they didn’t want me anymore, things happened.
“Then I could’ve stayed here or went to two other clubs I just prayed about it and found the answer in some goals I scored. I scored a hat-trick and it was the first hat-trick of my career so I think a more clear answer I couldn’t get. And besides, fate guides me a lot and I think my parents guide me a lot in everything I do.”
Former PSV Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy sang the praises of Gakpo back in September 2022, following rampant transfer rumours linking the player to Manchester United.
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Van Nistelrooy remarked: “There have been rumours about him since the beginning of the season almost eight weeks ago and we have not seen Cody changing his behaviour up to now.
“There were rumours over the whole period and I admire that a lot in him, he’s working on his development on a daily basis, playing in games and reaching his levels. He’s not distracted, he’s focused on games he has to play and focused on his next game. For a young guy like him, it’s special to see that attitude.”
Gakpo, who eventually sealed a move to Liverpool instead, disclosed in February 2023 a candid discussion he had with Van Nistelrooy: “To be honest, I spoke to him [Van Nistelrooy] a lot about United in the summer when the transfer looked like it may be coming.
“But in the winter, not really. It was Ruud’s wish that I went to a big club – and I think I have achieved that with Liverpool. There was a lot of speculation in the summer. It was the first window where it was possible to move and so, yes, it affected me a little bit.
“But then there was one moment when I just said, ‘forget about it, play your best game, and maybe it will happen next summer or in the winter’. That’s what I tried to do and it went well.”