‘Stressful’: ‘Special’ player says Leeds wanted to sign him and he’s still open to Premier League move

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Cody Gakpo has spoken out about interest from Leeds United during the summer transfer window.

In an interview with the Times, Gakpo says he nearly joined Leeds’ bitter rivals Manchester United and had conversations with their manager Erik ten Hag.

That switch fell through in the final week of the window and then Gakpo had to decide whether to join Leeds at a time when he also had interest from Southampton.

Gakpo on Leeds interest

He said: “I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United. In the end the deal didn’t go through, which was a shame, for me and my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.

“It ended about a week before the end of the transfer window and in that week I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton. In the end I stayed, but it was a stressful period.

“I always said if I stay here, it’s my childhood club. It’s not a punishment. I like being here, I want to win trophies here and do my best for the club.

“But if I got the chance to go to the Premier League or something, of course I would have to consider that option. At that time it was hectic for me but I recovered pretty quickly.”

Gakpo has been one of the in-form players in Europe this season. The 23-year-old – who has been labelled ‘special‘ – has already scored 13 goals and contributed 10 assists in 16 games in all competitions.

Reports earlier this month claimed that Gakpo is still not keen on a move to Leeds, which is perhaps not a huge surprise given they haven’t won a Premier League game since beating Chelsea in August.

Leeds did not get a senior, established striker over the line during a frantic close to the transfer window and may now need to move on from Gakpo.