Advice from former Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal contributed to Cody Gakpo ultimately deciding to snub Leeds United on deadline day.
Leeds sporting director Victor Orta travelled to the Netherlands for negotiations but returned empty handed after Gakpo decided to stay in Eindhoven.
Eindhoven Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink claimed that Gakpo’s international boss van Gaal was partly responsible for the 23-year-old deciding not to complete a switch to Elland Road.
Elfrink tweeted on Thursday: “At Leeds United, Louis van Gaal is believed to have played a crucial role in preventing the Gakpo deal. The club are totally baffled, wanting to pay 43 million euros and went over Southampton, who wanted to pay 40 million.”
Gakpo has confirmed to the press that he had discussed his future with van Gaal.
“His advice was clear that I should follow my gut feeling. He did say that a switch now would not be ideal, because you end up somewhere else and you also have to get used to it. I also agreed with him,” Gakpo said, as quoted by ED.
“Then it feels a bit rushed or something. Such a step at the last minute would not have been nice for PSV and also not for myself. Eventually you put all options in a row and then the choice fell on PSV. I’m glad I can stay with my club.”
Leeds reportedly offered more than €40million for Gakpo – outbidding Southampton who were also seriously interested in signing the Dutchman.
Gakpo has been at PSV since the age of eight and enjoyed his highest scoring season last term. He netted 21 times in 47 appearances across all competitions – winning the Johan Cruyff Shield and KNVB Cup in the process.
He was named Dutch Footballer of the Year at the end of the season and has started the current campaign in blistering form with seven goals in nine games in total.
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