'Said no': Director confirms Leeds made £43m bid for their 'perfect' forward

Leeds United made a £43million bid to sign Cody Gakpo, PSV Eindhoven director Marcel Brands has told Voetbal International.

The Whites worked hard to try and get a new forward signing over the line in the latter days of the summer transfer window.

However, Leeds suffered a few notable disappointments before finally getting the signing of Wilfried Gnonto over the line.

While the 18-year-old is an extremely talented young prospect, it remains to be seen whether Jesse Marsch will immediately start him regularly.

Gakpo was also on Leeds’ radar, but Brands made it clear the Elland Road side’s offer was not to their liking.

“(Leeds’ offer for Gakpo) was £30million plus £13 (million in bonuses), of which £2million were realistic,” he told VI.

“For example, we would get 6million if they made it to the Champions League.

“Bonuses are only good for me if they are realistic.

“This was the very best offer and we all said no to that.”

“I can say with my hand on my heart that there has been no offer for Cody to which the management or the supervisory board said ‘we must do this’.

“We did state that if there were certain offers, we had to sell.

“Not only from a financial point of view, but also because agreements were made with (Gakpo’s) camp.”

“Has everything”

Credit to Leeds for trying, but at the same time, it’s understandable that PSV were playing hardball over Gakpo.

The 23-year-old is a high-calibre player who has been deemed ‘perfect’ for the Premier League.

And Leeds were far from the only club reportedly in pursuit of Gakpo.

Former Netherlands midfielder Theo Janssen told Dutch publication NOS of Gakpo: “That boy has everything.

“Fine feeling for the ball, a good through ball, dribbles and is strong between the lines.

“I really enjoy him. He is going to be an important player for the Oranje squad.

“He is ready to be in the base of the Oranje squad. I would definitely draft him.

“There are other options, but they are not as effective as him.”