Teammate tells Cody Gakpo he was right to reject Leeds United

By Shamanth Jayaram

Cody Gakpo has arguably been the best player at the World Cup so far, and Leeds United will surely be kicking themselves now after missing out on him last summer.

The Dutchman has been linked with a whole host of clubs over the last few months. The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United seem the likeliest to get him now, but Leeds came the closest just over three months ago.

Teammate tells Cody Gakpo he was right to reject Leeds United

In the final days of the summer transfer window, it looked certain that Gakpo would leave PSV. Leeds and Southampton were both pushing to sign him, and Victor Orta even travelled to the Netherlands to bring him back to Yorkshire on a private jet. (TeamTalk)

Gakpo apparently even agreed to join Leeds, but the Dutchman had a very late change of heart.

He turned down a move to Elland Road on transfer deadline day and decided to stay at PSV at least until the January transfer window.

Now, after a stunning start to the season in the Eredivisie and three exceptional performances at the World Cup, his compatriot Marten de Roon has praised his decision to reject a summer move.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “He’s in great shape, he was already playing well in Holland.

“In the summer there were many rumours that he would go to a big club. In the end, he stayed, perhaps also to have more chances in the national team.

“I think he made a great choice. He will play a great tournament and then it will be very difficult for PSV to keep him.”

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Leeds were so close to getting Gakpo in the summer, but it’s safe to say now that they will not be able to lure him in – unless something drastic happens over the next two months.

The 23-year-old has scored 18 goals and provided 18 assists for club and country in all competitions since the start of this season. That is an outrageous return for someone so young, and he’s now destined to join a big club.

Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move to sign him in 2023, while Arsenal and Liverpool have also been reported as clubs very keen to lure him in.

Gakpo, branded as a ‘brilliant’ player, will likely be a star wherever he ends up, but sadly for Leeds United fans, that’s unlikely to happen at Elland Road.