Gakpo to Man Utd could be held up by major issue after Felix ‘plan’

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Manchester United’s prospective swoop for Cody Gakpo may run into complications with PSV Eindhoven reportedly set to demand the majority of the money up front. The Red Devils could do with a frugal January after spending big during the summer, as illustrated by a reported proposal to take Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid in order to defer the transfer fee. 

United’s interest in Gakpo has been widely reported and the player himself hasn’t shied away from speculation. A move was almost thrashed out in the summer but manager Erik ten Hag instead poured the club’s resources into signing former Ajax winger Antony. 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Old Trafford has introduced the need for someone to take his place and it is thought that United will lodge a £44million bid for Gakpo in January. According to Eindhovens Dagblad, such an offer would meet PSV’s asking price but a hidden element could prove crucial. 

The Dutch giants reportedly want a ‘well-structured deal’, with the way it’s paid just as important as the transfer fee itself. PSV are also thought to be keen on negotiations concluding early in January so they have a chance to scout out Gakpo’s replacement. 

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The structure of the deal could be critical for United due to their financial limitations in January. It remains to be seen whether Ten Hag has the green light on a deal that looks set to involve paying all, or the majority of the fee up front. 

Reports linking the Red Devils to Felix suggest otherwise. The Portuguese supposedly wants to leave Atletico but he could come with a hefty fee, with United exploring the possibility of bringing him on loan to avoid paying his full transfer fee until the summer of 2023. 

If such an arrangement is a sign of Ten Hag working with strict limitations in January after spending over £200m in the summer, the deal for Gakpo could be impacted. Whoever signs the 23-year-old will reportedly have to move quickly with PSV keen to snap up his replacement early in the window. 

Real Madrid are also in the running with Gakpo blazing a trail in the Eredivisie goal and assist charts. The Dutchman also shone at the Qatar World Cup with a goal in each of his country’s three group games, hammering home his ability to affect matches at the highest level. 

Ten Hag getting access to big-money deals may also be complicated by United’s ownership situation. The Glazers are open to new investment which could put them off spending big just before their departure, although Avram Glazer has remained tight-lipped on the situation as a whole. 

“As we have announced, the board have been through a process and it’s decided that it’s going to look at different strategic alternatives, and that’s what we’re doing,” he told Sky News last month. “We’re going to look at all different strategic alternatives and see where that leads us.”

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