Manchester United transfer target Cody Gakpo has been likened to eminent Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne, with his ability with the ball and elegance as he plays earning the plaudits.

Writing for The Athletic, Brentford centre-back Ben Mee lauded the 23-year-old Dutch sensation, believing that there is a similarity to Kevin De Bruyne in the way the phenom plays his football.

Mee wrote: "There is something of Kevin De Bruyne about him, and he is developing a similar range and vision in his passing as the Manchester City forward.

"I’ve seen him deliver pinpoint passes with the outside of his boot, clever balls guided round the corner or into space for teammates to collect on the run, and he clearly has a decent cross in him. He hits it like De Bruyne, too, as he showed with his finish — struck so cleanly — for the opening goal against Qatar."

Ten Hag's own KDB

While Kevin De Bruyne and Cody Gakpo yield different weaponry when it comes to their respective abilities on the pitch, Ten Hag would very much feel as if he boasts a player of the Belgium star's mould should a deal be struck with PSV Eindhoven.

Both score goals and assists at a fantastic rate, indeed, Gakpo's 30 contributions this season and De Bruyne's rate of 16 contributions in just 19 matches, have meant that the former has raised his stock and attracted a transfer fee of £52m.

While the 97-cap Belgium international occupies a deeper central playmaking role presently, he did previously push into pockets higher up the pitch, sometimes playing out on the right flank and drifting into openings.

Should Gakpo continue to nurture the creative facet of his bow, he might see take the same path as the esteemed 31-year-old.

And if he can indeed take that mantle, a career laden with success and trophies is sure to follow; De Bruyne has registered 89 goals and 134 appearances for the Sky Blues since his £55m move from Wolfsburg.

He has also won four Premier League titles and a further six major honours for the distinguished club, becoming one of the leading figures in global football.

Big boots to don, but Gakpo will feel he can indeed emulate the success of De Bruyne, albeit in a more offensive, direct role, with the confidence he emanates both on and off the pitch, he will be certain that he can craft a career every bit as successful.

And with a fantastic debut World Cup campaign, Gakpo is only increasing the hype that continues to build with each passing match week.

As per Sofascore, the "unreal" dynamo has recorded an average rating of 7.6, scoring in all three of the group matches.

But it is the player's overall flow that has left him in such good standing, with his 2.3 key passes and 1.5 tackles per match rounding off a complete arsenal that bodes well for his future career.

Gakpo will never be De Bruyne, but that's okay. He can take shades of the Man City ace and absorb some of the techniques and elements of his game that have allowed him to flourish, but ultimately Gakpo will pave his own path toward an illustrious and prolific career, and Man United should swiftly add him to the ranks, creating their own devastating focal point.