Cody Gakpo’s World Cup form tipped to give Man Utd a £20m problem

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United target Cody Gakpo is worth £20 million more after his World Cup performances for Holland, according to Wes Brown.

The former United defender believes that his old club need to sign a forward after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. And Gakpo is certainly a great option.

The 23-year-old has managed 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 games for PSV Eindhoven this season, and has found the target for his country three times in as many matches at the World Cup.

READ: Cody Gakpo's Man Utd asking price doubles

He is valued at €29 million by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm but it is understood that PSV could demand nearly twice that figure after a successful showing in Qatar.

But Wes Brown thinks that his impressive start to the World Cup campaign could add £20m to his price tag,

"He's decent, I've watched him live when I've been to Holland,'' Brown told Mirror Football, via Bet365. ''He's young, he's confident, he's powerful, a big lad.

READ: Garnacho sending three players to Man Utd exit

''I just feel like he'd fit in, but already you can probably put another £20m on top because everyone will be after him.

''Like I said, people don't let the best strikers go in January unless you want to overpay, but I'm guessing in the summer, he'll be on everyone's target list."

Man Utd with Gakpo

Gakpo is primarily a winger, despite his impressive goal record, so his acquisition wouldn't actually address the hole the Red Devils have in their attack.

The 23-year-old does his best work from the left flank, meaning Marcus Rashford would likely have to play in the No.9 position.

United paid Ajax €100m for Antony - at Gakpo's expense - in the summer, so he will continue to start on the right wing.

While the recent rise of Alejandro Garnacho means that Jadon Sancho's future at the club could be in trouble.

Bruno Fernandes a permanent fixture at No.10 and the wide attacking areas would become even more competitive.