"Encouraging signs..." - Sky Sports reporter links £69m star with move to Man Utd in January

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth believes that Manchester United are likely to bid for PSV and Netherlands star Cody Gakpo in January.

Gakpo has long been linked with a move to United, with the club seeing a bid turned down by PSV in the summer.

Amid interest from the Red Devils and Leeds, amongst others, Gakpo eventually stayed in the Netherlands. He has netted nine goals and provided 12 assists in 14 Eredivisie appearances this term.

He has also made an impression in Europe, starring in PSV's 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Europa League. So far, he has scored three goals and added three assists in the competition, with PSV set to compete in the play-off round.

But his reputation has been enhanced even further by the World Cup. Gakpo scored in each of Netherlands' three group games, and only four players have netted on more occasions during the tournament.

Meanwhile, speaking to The United Stand, Fabrizio Romano has said that the 23-year-old would be 'happy' to accept a move to United. He was involved in talks with Erik ten Hag over a summer move, as admitted in an interview with The Times.

And Sheth believes that the Red Devils will turn their concrete interest into a bid for the player in January.

Cody Gakpo to Man Utd?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sheth said: "They [United] have got options up front in Anthony Martial, and we know that Marcus Rashford can play down the middle as well.

"I just wonder whether Erik ten Hag will see this window as an opportunity. If he can get a deal for someone like Gakpo done, he might just go for it, because United are in that position where they are showing encouraging signs under Erik ten Hag."

If the Red Devils do swoop for Gakpo, however, they would likely have to pay a large sum to PSV.

Former Dutch international Willy van de Kerkhof told Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur that Ruud van Nistelrooy's side should not sell Gakpo for under €80 million (£69m), such is his quality and importance to the side.

But Romano has claimed that a deal in the region of £43 million may be enough to get a deal done, with other clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool, reportedly showing interest.