Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has remained tight-lipped about the club’s interest in signing PSV striker Cody Gakpo

An initial approach for the Netherlands international was made in the summer before the club opted to sign Antony from Ajax in an £86m deal instead.

Gakpo, meanwhile, has been holding out for a move to Old Trafford and rejected a last-minute move to Leeds United in the summer transfer window.

When asked if Gakpo is a target, Ten Hag replied: “I cannot give comment on specific players, I will never do.

“I’ve told you before, in the summer as well, when you talked about a lot of players. Each player is under contract and I respect that but we make sure we are working in the background to get the right players in.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has urged the club to quickly wrap up a deal for Gakpo.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Stam said: “Manchester United are interested in Cody Gakpo, from what we read as well. But there are maybe other teams. Especially now that he is doing so well at the World Cup.

“I can’t imagine other teams not looking at him. Man United would be a good club for him because the manager knows him. How they’re playing, it’s quite familiar for him. There is competition, but as a young player you need competition. 

“It is his decision. Is he seeing Man United in the Premier League as his next step or is he looking at Spain and other big teams, Real Madrid or Barcelona? That league would also be interesting for him because of the way he plays.”