Ex-Man Utd target who already has 14 goals this season was put off Old Trafford move by £86m deal
Cody Gakpo has revealed the key factor which prevented him signing for Man Utd
In-form Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo has sensationally claimed that he nearly became a Manchester United player in the summer of 2022 before ultimately completing a move to the team’s rivals at Anfield six months later.
The 36-time Netherlands international made a name for himself at PSV Eindhoven and progressed through the academy in 2018 after impressing at reserve level.
He made his debut at the age of 18 under Phillip Cocu in the 2017/18 season and made a further 16 appearances the following campaign under Mark van Bommel, but it wasn’t until the 2021/22 that people would realise the forward’s full potential as he registered 21 goals and 15 assists in 47 appearances to help his team achieve a KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield while finishing runners-up to Erik ten Hag’s formidable Ajax team before the coaches’ switch to Manchester United.
It was around this time that the Old Trafford club began to take notice of Gakpo’s potential, but the 25-year-old explained that the Red Devils blockbuster £86m move for Antony was enough to put the deal on ice as he remained at the Philips Stadion for another six months.
Cody Gakpo discusses failed Man Utd move
Netherlands international Cody Gakpo told The Players’ Tribune that he had his heart set on a move to Old Trafford before discussion broke down. He was the subject of interest from the Red Devils, Leeds United and Southampton at the time, but claims one PSV colleague convinced him to stay.
Gakpo explained: “It wasn’t until 2020 that my game really took off. That’s when Roger Schmidt took over as our manager, and he lifted us to second place. We were still miles behind Ajax, but the next year, we finished just two points behind, and won the Super Cup final against them.
"At the time, with Ten Hag and the players they had, they seemed unbeatable. So, that was big. Winning the final against that Ajax team, and then for me to score in that big moment? That will always mean a lot to me.”
He continued: “Around that time, I started hearing rumours of a move to England. Now, everybody who knows me, knows I am a man guided by my faith. So, one day, I had a meeting with the pastor from my church back in Holland, and he brought a friend who was a pastor somewhere else.
"This other pastor said, 'Can I tell you something?' I said of course. This was before any big clubs had come knocking on my door. And he said that God told him that I would go to Liverpool. I kind of laughed it off like, Yeah, nice, we will see about that. There was already a little bit of interest from Manchester United, so I thought, We’ll see.
“Then in the summer of 2022, United went for Antony. I was like, What should I do? At this point I could go to Leeds, Southampton, or I could stay at PSV. I prayed, and I asked God for guidance.”
The transfer that got away
Gakpo scored nine goals in 14 appearances in the run-up to the Qatar World Cup in 2022 and was selected by ex-United boss Louis Van Gaal to lead the line for most of the tournament.
Gakpo’s exceptional form in the tournament earned him a £35million move to Liverpool in January 2023. He scored seven in 21 appearances for the Reds as they secured a fifth place finish before helping the team regain their place in Europe’s elite competition with 16 goals and six assists across 53 matches in his first full season.
The Netherlands international has took his game to new heights this term under new boss Arne Slot and with 14 goals and five assists in 34 games is well on course to beat last season’s tally for the league leaders.
Gakpo said: “It’s a funny story, but in a way, that’s a really important piece of the puzzle. Thank God I stayed because that allowed me to play in the World Cup, which led to Liverpool.”
Ultimately, Gakpo and Antony’s career have gone in different paths in recent months. As it stands, Gakpo is on course to win a league title with the Reds, while Antony after struggling for form over the last two and half seasons is aiming to rebuild his career on loan at Real Betis.