KEY POINTS

  • Cody Gakpo joined Liverpool on a six-year contract
  • Liverpool paid around $42M-$53M for Gakpo
  • Ten Hag and Gakpo are represented by the same agent

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly frustrated with the Old Trafford club following their latest transfer decision.

Ten Hag was keen on signing PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo ahead of the January transfer window as the 23-year-old forward was seen as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward parted ways with Manchester United on mutual consent following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticized both the club and Ten Hag.

While Ten Hag understands Manchester United's budget constraints, he wanted the Red Devils to look for short-term options to fill the void left by Ronaldo. With Gakpo being available ahead of the winter window, Ten Hag, who shares an agent with the Dutchman, had identified his compatriot as Ronaldo's long-term replacement at Old Trafford.

However, Gakpo eventually signed with the Reds Devils' rivals Liverpool FC as Manchester United did not make an official bid for the player, reported ESPN. The report further said the 20-time league champions did not make a move for the Dutch forward because they could not match the financial package offered by Liverpool.

Gakpo, who was one of the standout performers for the Netherlands at the Qatar World Cup, moved from PSV to Liverpool on a deal worth around $42-$53 million. The Reds have secured the Dutch forward till the summer of 2028.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hailed his newest signing, calling Gakpo a "versatile and smart" soccer player.

"He is very versatile and on top of this we know he is a smart footballer and also a smart person, so we are really excited to be able to work with him," said Klopp.

Before the international break for FIFA World Cup, Gakpo was involved in 30 goals at PSV – 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 matches.

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United
Michael Regan/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Ten Hag also confirmed that Manchester United will continue to look for a striker following Gakpo's move to Liverpool.

"I think we are always in the market, but it has to match the sporting criteria and also the financial criteria," he said in a recent interview.

Manchester United resumed their 2022-23 campaign with a 2-0 win over Burnley in the League Cup. They returned to Premier League action with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Soccer