Manchester United 'hope' they will succeed in luring PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo to Old Trafford in a £40million deal, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Erik ten Hag, who was appointed as the Red Devils' boss in April, will be handed another opportunity to freshen up his squad when the winter window opens for business next month.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

Man United transfer news - Cody Gakpo

Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Gakpo as, during an interview with Dutch media outlet NRC, he has admitted that he would consider a move to Old Trafford if they open negotiations during the early stages of 2023.

The attacker also suggests that failing to secure a summer switch to the Premier League was tough to take after initially believing he would join ten Hag's charges, while he also turned down an approach from Leeds United.

Manchester United's hopes of striking a January agreement have heightened as PSV are now willing to cash-in on Gakpo after he put in a string of impressive performances at the World Cup.

Jones has previously told GIVEMESPORT that the Red Devils are the favourites to sign the 23-year-old, while transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that discussions have been held with the Dutchman's representatives.

However, they are facing competition from Newcastle United after it has emerged that it would take a bid worth more than £40million to tempt PSV into selling Gakpo.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Dean Jones said about Gakpo?

Jones understands Manchester United are increasingly optimistic that Gakpo could be signed during the January transfer window.

The journalist believes the Netherlands international's versatility in the final third of the pitch may also benefit Red Devils fan favourite Marcus Rashford.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "Gakpo is going to be pushed forwards now and there is actually hope they could land him for around the £40million mark, from what I’m hearing.

"It also sounds like Rashford will be considered as a centre forward more frequently too, so that probably makes Gakpo’s versatility appealing."

How did Gakpo perform at the World Cup?

The Netherlands reached the quarter-finals before their dream of winning the World Cup was left in tatters thanks to a penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina, but Gakpo's performances in Qatar caught the eye.

The PSV talisman was handed an average match rating of 7.53 by WhoScored, which was not bettered by any other member of Louis van Gaal's squad.

Gakpo was a constant threat in the final third of the pitch and got his name on the scoresheet in each of the Netherlands’ group stage fixtures against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar.

His Sofascore statistics are also striking as he found the back of the net every 151 minutes throughout the tournament and contributed defensively, averaging 1.6 tackles and 1.2 clearances per outing.

With figures like that, it should come as little surprise that Manchester United are in the hunt for Gakpo's signature.

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