Gakpo set for Man Utd transfer as Glazers block Ten Hag's key targets

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
3 min read

Cody Gakpo will most likely be signed by Manchester United this month but he represents Erik ten Hag’s third-choice in his position, with the Glazers refusing to appease their new manager, FootballTransfers is told.

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The Dutchman had wanted Raphinha, who left Leeds for Barcelona, or Brazilian star Antony, but Man Utd were priced out of a deal by Ajax.

FootballTransfers has been told by sources that the Glazers, controversial owners of the club, have not been invested in some of the manager's No.1 targets in this window: In fact, there is frustration from some around the club with the owners’ lack of willingness to put their hand in their own pocket and appease Ten Hag.

There was hope for a fresh start under the former Ajax boss but the vicious cycle has continued, with more panic buying, and deals being lined up for average players on big wages. There’s anger the owners won't pay the market rate for leading stars, leaving the team hamstrung.

We are informed that in 2020, Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland were among their top targets.

Though they managed to get Sancho in, the rest of the players wanted were supplemented by the likes of Edinson Cavani, Donny van de Beek and Amad Diallo. And now some around the club feel that history is repeating itself.

It comes after we were told early in the window that Man Utd would be providing their new manager with a kitty that would be competitive of any big club in Europe - but so far the side have spent €66 million net.

© ProShots - The Glazers won't meet Antony's valuation

Gakpo a goer

Gakpo is represented by the same intermediaries - SEG - as who brokered Ten Hag’s move to Old Trafford and is likely to make the move. The winger was looked at by Arsenal earlier this month but interest cooled. He has room to develop and would be seen as a shrewd piece of business.

A transfer is not expected until after PSV's Champions League playoff against Rangers has concluded.

Elsewhere, we know that Sasa Kalajdzic is likely to leave Stuttgart in this window and would cost a reasonable fee of around €25m. Sources in Germany have described the towering striker as a brilliant dressing room presence but there are question marks over his injury record.

Nevertheless, it seems that it will be a busy end to a dissatisfying transfer window for Ten Hag and his Man Utd staff.