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Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Cody Gakpo, Football, Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester United, Transfers
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Cody Gakpo, Football, Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester United, Transfers
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has brushed off questions about Cody Gakpo's move to Liverpool, insisting his only focus is on his team and their own transfer business.
United had been strongly linked with a move for Gakpo in the January transfer window, with Ten Hag reportedly keen to sign his fellow Dutchman.
But Gakpo now looks set to join Liverpool instead, with PSV Eindhoven announcing on Monday that they had reached an agreement with the Merseyside club over a transfer, subject to the winger passing a medical at Anfield.
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Jurgen Klopp's side have reportedly paid an initial £37m fee for Gakpo, which could rise to £45m with add-ons.
Gakpo is said to have agreed terms on a six-year deal with Liverpool and could complete his move when the transfer window opens on January 1.
It is a blow for United, who are in need of attacking reinforcements following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and with the status of Jadon Sancho, who has been training away from the rest of the squad in an effort to improve his fitness, currently uncertain.
Speaking after his side's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, Ten Hag refused to comment on Liverpool's deal for Gakpo.
"I'm not looking at other teams, I am looking at our team," he said.
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"I am convinced of the squad we have, the players in our team, they have the capabilities, individual and as a team to compete with all of those teams."
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Ten Hag added: "I don't talk about individual cases. We are looking for offensive players, we are looking for a striker.
"Would be good because with the games coming, so many, every third day, and it's tough.
"We want to play in all the leagues we are in and stay in those leagues. Hopefully it can keep going until the end of the season. You need numbers to cope with it all."
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United moved up to fifth in the Premier League following their victory over Forest at Old Trafford, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Ten Hag's side next face Wolves at Molineux on December 31.
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