Southampton: £38m star now 'on Hasenhuttl's radar' at St Mary's

Southampton have PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo ‘on their radar’ and a move to St Mary’s ‘makes sense’, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Saints have not been afraid to splash the cash since the summer window opened for business, with more than £50million being spent on reinforcements, but boss Ralph Hasenhuttl could add further fresh faces to his squad ahead of Thursday’s 11pm deadline.

According to The Telegraph, Southampton have been frustrated in their efforts to land Gakpo as a £21million bid has been rejected with the closure of the transfer window just days away.

The report suggests that PSV value the seven-cap Netherlands international at £38million, so the Premier League side will have to nearly double their offer if they want to get their man.

Gakpo has reportedly been a key target for Southampton this summer and Rasmus Ankersen, co-founder of the club’s ownership group Sport Republic, has led talks with their Dutch counterparts.

If Southampton were to meet the Eredivisie giants’ demands, the winger would comfortably surpass Danny Ings as Saints’ record signing.

But the south coast outfit are not Gakpo’s only admirers as it is understood that Everton and Leeds United have also been in pursuit, while Manchester United’s interest has cooled.

Jones believes that Southampton’s hopes of signing Gakpo have been boosted thanks to Manchester United turning their attentions elsewhere.

The journalist understands the 23-year-old has been on Saints’ shortlist of targets but the club were waiting to overcome hurdles before looking to pounce.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “There are strong links to Gakpo. I guess now that United are signing Antony, it makes sense that they would try that.

“He is a player that they’ve had on