PSV give insight into Manchester United's transfer interest in Cody Gakpo

PSV Eindhoven director John de Jong has confirmed that Manchester United registered their interest in signing Cody Gakpo as far back as the very start of the summer transfer window.

United, who registered their fourth successive Premier League win with a 3-1 triumph over Arsenal on Sunday, were desperate to add to their attacking options and had identified the addition of a new winger as one of their top priorities. Manager Erik ten Hag had pinpointed Antony as his top target, but the Reds were prepared to keep alternative options in mind.

Ajax slapped an eye-watering price tag on Antony's services, meaning the Reds were forced to cool their interest in the Brazilian up until the latter stages of the transfer window. But until they had rekindled their interest in him, all pointers suggested that Gakpo would be United's best hope of drafting in a new wide player.

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However, the Reds, eventually, reached a breakthrough in negotiations with Ajax just days before the transfer window slammed shut meaning Antony finalised his move to Old Trafford on deadline day. And De Jong has admitted that United's interest in Gakpo "faded" towards the end of the window, presumably once they know the possibility of signing Antony had increased.

"Manchester United signed up at the beginning of the transfer period," De Jong told Voetbal International. "They expressed their interest. But after that, it took a long time.

"In the end, as management, we had talks with United between the games against Rangers. Then it seemed to get more concrete, but that faded and at the end of the window the option to sell him to United was no longer there."

Gakpo, who was the subject of interest