Manchester United have missed out on the signing of Cody Gakpo, with the Netherlands international primed to join Liverpool instead.

Manchester United owners the Glazers blocked the club from signing Cody Gakpo despite Erik ten Hag being keen to bring in the Netherlands international, according to a fresh report.

The 23-year-old had been expected to seal a move to Old Trafford this winter, particularly in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure. However, the winger will now be joining Liverpool instead with the Reds moving with speed to get a deal over the line.

Manchester United were considered as being in pole position to sign Gakpo in the January transfer window until Monday night.

That was when PSV released a statement confirming they had agreed a fee with Liverpool for their prized asset, who has scored nine goals and clocked up 12 assists from 14 Eredivisie matches so far this term.

Since then, there have been claims Gakpo was never a serious United target to begin with – with the Red Devils insisting they want a proper No 9 to fill the void left behind by Ronaldo’s exit.

According to The Sun, however, the Glazers blocked United from signing Gakpo despite Ten Hag pushing for the board to make funds available for his signing.

Back in the summer, United were close to landing the Netherlands international before ultimately opting to bring in Antony from Ajax instead.

Man Utd owners the Glazers prevented Cody Gakpo transfer deal (Image: GETTY)

They supposedly felt they could keep Gakpo ‘on ice’, having held talks with PSV and his representations about a potential switch.

Gakpo admitted three months ago that he had been keen to join United, saying: “Manchester United had reported at the beginning of the transfer window. We were waiting for that a bit.

“The signals became more and more positive and at a certain point I thought it might fall in that direction.

“That option faded a bit and completely last week. We worked the whole window towards it. Until last week I thought I would go to Manchester United.”

And despite Ten Hag pushing for Gakpo to come in, the Glazers informed the 52-year-old they would only be sanctioning loan moves this month instead.

Now, it’ll be interesting to see who the Red Devils swoop for with Ten Hag confirming they want a new marksman to come in this month.

Speaking after his side cruised to victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening, he stated: “We are looking for offensive players, looking for a striker, that would be good because we have so many games coming.

“We want to keep playing in all the competitions we are in, we want to keep going to the end of the season so you need numbers to keep competing.”

Joao Felix is one potential option for United, though Chelsea and Arsenal are also in the mix when it comes to acquiring the Portugal international.

Jorge Mendes, his agent, could hold the key with the Portuguese keen to repair relations with the club following the Ronaldo debacle.

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag was pushing the Glazers to seal Cody Gakpo transfer (Image: GETTY)

Felix’s Atletico Madrid team-mate Alvaro Morata is another candidate to join United, having come close to joining back in the summer of 2017.

And while there have been links to the likes of Rafael Leao and Goncalo Ramos, of AC Milan and Benfica respectively, it’s hard to see their current clubs agreeing to a parting of the ways in the New Year.

Regarding Ronaldo’s exit, meanwhile, Michael Owen feels United have made a mistake by failing to keep hold of the veteran.

The 37-year-old is now expected to move to Saudi Arabia in the wake of his departure last month, which came after a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.

Owen, speaking on Amazon Prime, said: “That’s the problem [scoring goals].

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag wanted Cody Gakpo to replace Cristiano Ronaldo (Image: GETTY)

“I hear Ten Hag talking about Marcus Rashford probably needs to score 20 goals this, that and the other.

“Well, they had 20 goals sat right under his nose but, unfortunately, he was sat on the bench a lot of the time.”

And he added: “The way things were going, there had to be an end to it, but it didn’t have to be like that. He could have played him every week and then he would have solved this problem of scoring goals and that’s the point.

“You either play Cristiano Ronaldo every week and never bring him off, or you don’t.

“If you don’t, then he’s no good at your club. He’s not a substitute or a squad player.”

SOURCE: express.co.uk