Manchester United target Cody Gakpo will not be sold by PSV before August 24, according to reports.
Gakpo has responded favourably to Manchester United’s approach and the 23-year-old winger would welcome a move to Old Trafford this summer.
United are ramping up their efforts to bring in new players before the transfer deadline at the end of the month, with their Premier League opening weekend defeat at home to Brighton underlining the need for reinforcements.
However, if they wish to sign Netherlands international Gakpo, they must now wait until PSV have played their crucial Champions League play-off against Scottish club Rangers, according to the Daily Record.
The Dutch club are unwilling to let Gakpo leave until after the second leg meeting, which is scheduled for 8pm on August 24.
That means that Gakpo would not arrive in time for Premier League matches against Brentford and Liverpool on August 13 and August 22 respectively.
After that, United face Southampton on August 27 before the window closes on September 1.
There were suggestions Eredivisie champions PSV would only accept an offer in the region of £80m for Gakpo, meaning United’s efforts to bring in a winger were put on the backburner while more pressing positions were focused on.
But the match against Brighton highlighted the need for a new attacker, with Erik ten Hag forced to field Christian Eriksen as a false nine due to Anthony Martial’s injury and Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of sharpness.
Reports emerged on Tuesday claiming United were preparing a £35m move for Gakpo – and they are likely to meet significantly less resistance than other targets they have pursued this summer.
PSV are willing to accept an offer in the region of £35m, though United are not the only Premier League side interested in Gakpo with Arsenal among the clubs also linked with a move.
Gakpo, who predominantly plays off the left wing for PSV but is also capable through the middle, is represented by Dutch agency SEG, who also advise Ten Hag.
United, meanwhile, are back in action on Saturday when they travel to face Brentford.
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