Man Utd told to avoid signing World Cup star Gakpo

Stuart Telford

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

Cody Gakpo is widely expected to join Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven in the winter transfer window, but one former Red Devil doesn't see what the rush is…

Gakpo came close to joining United in the summer, only for the club to turn their attentions to Ajax winger Antony, whom they ended up paying €95 million for. The Gakpo deal fell through, and the player publicly aired his disappointment.

Not that he let it get him down. Gakpo had 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 games for PSV ahead of the World Cup, and scored three in three for the Netherlands before they were knocked out by Argentina at the quarter-final stage.

READ: Man Utd told to pay record fee to PSV for Gakpo transfer

His asking price has reportedly skyrocketed to €50 million - a transfer fee still comfortably withing Man Utd's range - but former Red Devils striker Louis Saha thinks the club can afford to wait and see if Gakpo develops further before making a move.

Sancho example

"He's a very good player, and has had a really good tournament," he conceded to Compare.bet. "His performances on the biggest stage prove that he can perform in the Premier League, he's so quick, and scores goals for his club and national team.

"[But] I'd like to see him play at this level for another one or two years. I'm not convinced he should be signed straight away, and [that] he'll be the right fit."

READ: The sign that Sancho’s Man Utd career may be over

Saha was 25 when he made his own move to United from Fulham in January 2004, for a £12.4m (€14.4m) fee. Already well established as a Premier League attacker at the time, the former France international is glad he waited to make the step up.

"We've seen quality players like [Jadon] Sancho struggle to transition to the Premier League," he continued. "We know Gakpo is a quality player but would a move to United be right at the moment for his development?"