Manchester United leading Cody Gakpo race?

Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo ahead of the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the brightest talents in the Eredivisie after recording 21 goals and 15 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions last season.

Gakpo has continued his fine form in front of goal for PSV this campaign, netting 13 times and registering 17 assists in 24 matches, including 21 goals contributions in just 14 Eredivisie games.

Erik ten Hag's side were strongly linked with a move for the Netherlands international during the summer window, but they instead pursued a move for Ajax attacker Antony.

A recent report claims that Man United are preparing to reignite their interest in Gakpo as they seek to find a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who mutually left the club with immediate effect on Tuesday.

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The Red Devils were not the only club interested in Gakpo's services over the summer as the likes of Arsenal, Leeds United and Southampton also expressed their interest.

Fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and West Ham United as well as Serie champions AC Milan are also said to be keeping tabs on Gakpo, but Calciomercato claims that Man United are at the front of the queue for the Dutchman's signature.

The report adds that an offer of at least £43m (€50m) would be enough to prise Gakpo away from PSV in the New Year.

Last month, Gakpo revealed that he spoke to Ten Hag "a few times" about a potential move to Man United over the summer and claimed it was "a shame" that the deal failed to materialise.

Speaking to The Times, Gakpo said: "I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United.

"In the end the deal didn't go through, which was a shame, for me and my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.

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"It ended about a week before the end of the transfer window and in that week I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton. In the end I stayed, but it was a stressful period.

"I always said if I stay here, it's my childhood club. It's not a punishment. I like being here, I want to win trophies here and do my best for the club.

"But if I got the chance to go to the Premier League or something, of course I would have to consider that option. At that time it was hectic for me but I recovered pretty quickly."

Gakpo scored the opening goal in the Netherlands' 2-0 win over Senegal in their opening Group A fixture at the 2022 World Cup on Monday.

The 10-cap international is not the only highly-rated attacker to have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, as the likes of Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Barcelona's Memphis Depay, Roma's Tammy Abraham and Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram are also believed to be on United's radar.