Gakpo Reveals How Close He Was to Joining Manchester United Over Liverpool

• Dutch forward Cody Gakpo was on the radar of top English clubs last summer but stayed at PSV
• He had an impressive World Cup outing and it earned him the move to Liverpool in December
• He has now revealed how close he was to joining Liverpool's rival Manchester United

Cody Gakpo was available for just £25m last summer and was on the radar of Manchester United and Liverpool but a move failed to materialise, with some reports even linking him to Southampton.

He was high on the radar of the Old Trafford outfits, but a shock move to Merseyside was what eventually happened for an initial £37m, which could potentially rise to £44m if conditions of the add-ons are met.

His early form for the Reds have made United fans think they made the best decision losing out on him, but the forward has revealed the club failed to put a bid forward this winter.

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Gakpo reveals Man Utd's dream

Erik Ten Hag wanted the 23-year-old as Cristiano Ronaldo's replacement when it appeared the Portuguese would leave Old Trafford in the summer, as reported by Eurosport. However, he eventually stayed before his contract was terminated in December.

The move did not happen in the summer, but fans expected it to happen in January, but the player has revealed he wanted to join a big club and believed Liverpool is one. He said this in an interview quoted by Metro UK.

‘‘To be honest, I spoke to him a lot about United in the summer when the transfer looked like it may be coming. But in the winter, not really. It was Ruud’s wish that I went to a big club – and I think I have achieved that with Liverpool,’’ he said.

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He also spoke on when the Liverpool deal was initiated, when he got to know and the timeline in which it was completed.

‘‘I heard about Liverpool’s interest – and I think five days later, the deal was done. My manager and brother knew about it for a longer time, but I said to them at the World Cup not to tell me anything because I have to focus,’’ he added.

Van Nistelrooy: Gakpo refused my advice

Sports Brief earlier reported that former Manchester United player and current PSV Eindhoven manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy claimed Gakpo refused his advice ahead of his move to Liverpool.

Nistelrooy revealed he instead listened to Dutch national team captain Virgil van Dijk and joined Liverpool over his dream move to Manchester United.

The player's words agree with his former manager, who claimed he did not speak much to him in the winter before his move to Anfield.