Report: Manchester United are beating Liverpool in race to sign Gakpo

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As per a report by Calciomercato, Manchester United are leading in the race to sign Liverpool target Coady Gakpo.

Only recently, it was reported by ESPN that Pep Ljinders considered the Dutch international the “missing link” in the Reds’ jigsaw puzzle.

In fact, Dean Jones of Give Me Sport had even stated recently that Jurgen Klopp’s men have been monitoring the 23-year-old closely, whilst even sending scouts to watch the versatile forward in action.

As the £43.3 million-rated attacker (via Fabrizio Romano) shone for the Netherlands in their World Cup opener by scoring the winner against Senegal in a 2-0 victory, it seems as if Ljinders’ eye for talent was validated.

However, it seems as if Liverpool’s arch-rivals may have an upper hand in the battle to sign the PSV Eindhoven hero.

Manchester United are the frontrunners for Gakpo’s signature

As reported by Calciomercato, Manchester United are “above all” when it comes to the chase for Coady Gakpo.

It has been emphasised that Erik ten Hag’s side have perhaps enquired the most out of any suitor in question to sign the fleet-footed forward.

While the report does mentioned that Liverpool alongside AC Milan as well will keep their eyes and ears open regarding Gakpo’s future, United are currently the favourites to sign him.

This claim does not come as a shock, considering Coady Gakpo even told the Times that he was close to joining the Red Devils, and even had a chat with ten Hag.

Liverpool can still win the Gakpo race

Ultimately, the fact that Coady Gakpo, once described as “dangerous” (on BT Sport via Metro) by Robin van Persie was considering signing for United, despite them being in the Europa League shows that his priority was to work alongside ten Hag, as he believed in the manager and the project.

But if Liverpool manage to secure Champions League football, with Jurgen Klopp already at their disposal and pitch a rebuild plan to the sought-after forward, it is likely that he will head to Merseyside.

While Manchester United are the favourites to sign Coady Gakpo, ruling Liverpool out this early would be naïve.