Manchester United had a clear run at signing 2022 World Cup star Cody Gakpo this summer but are moving on from their failure to bring him to Old Trafford, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Red Devils have been linked with the Netherlands international once again heading into January, however it appears he could now cost Erik ten Hag's side a lot more than if they'd signed him during the off-season.

Manchester United transfer news - Cody Gakpo

Last month Jones informed GiveMeSport that United are the favourites to sign the PSV forward.

And The Sun have followed up more recently by claiming the Red Devils are ready to move for Gakpo when the transfer window reopens - with the Eredivisie side valuing their star man at £50m.

But back in July, amid interest from Premier League rivals Leeds United, PSV reportedly rated Gakpo at around half that price.

The Dutch side were allegedly prepared to sell for €30m (£25.8m).

During the summer, Fabrizio Romano and Jones both told GiveMeSport that United gaffer ten Hag is a keen admirer of Oranje's new superstar.

However, no deal materialised, with Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth informing GMS that the Carrrington outfit's swoop for fellow Eredivisie attacker Antony made any subsequent move for Gakpo unlikely.

What has Dean Jones said about Gakpo and United?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones insisted that although United could've had a free run at Gakpo during the summer, key figures inside the club aren't dwelling on a missed opportunity.

He told GMS: "They had a pretty clear run at Gakpo in the summer, in terms of big-club interest. So in hindsight, of course they wish they'd got that deal done but they can't really think about that now. When you put that to people around the club; 'it didn't happen so you've got to move on.'"

Cody Gakpo's stats - 2022/23 season

It's been a pretty phenomenal season for Gakpo, both at club and international level.

As per Transfermarkt, he registered nine goals and twelve assists in just 14 Eredivisie appearances for PSV prior to the World Cup in Qatar, as well as chalking up five goal involvements in the Europa League.

Now that the competition is underway, Gakpo has scored three times for the Netherlands to help guide them to the quarter-finals. After the weekend's action, he was sixth in the race for the Golden Boot based on assists and minutes played, but tied for goals with second-place Lionel Messi.

Gakpo will be keen to add to his World Cup haul and eliminate one of his Golden Boot rivals when the Netherlands face Messi's Argentina on Friday night.