Leeds United reportedly offered PSV Eindhoven more than €40 million to try prise Cody Gakpo to Elland Road. That is according to Dutch reporter Rik Elfrink, who claims that the Whites outbid Southampton’s offer of around that figure in order to get ahead in the race.
Early in the afternoon of yesterday it had appeared that Southampton were at the front of the queue for the Netherlands international. However, according to Fabrizio Romano late night, Leeds were pushing hard to win the battle for his signature and leapfrogged the Saints with 24 hours left to go of the window.
Leeds’ sporting director Victor Orta even flew to Eindhoven late last night in an attempt to thrash the deal out. A return flight was booked for this morning with Orta, Gakpo and six of his relatives but after a deal failed to be agreed, the 43-year-old boarded the plane empty handed.
READ MORE: Leeds United news as Whites dealt early Cody Gakpo deadline day blow
PSV could instead look to tie down Gakpo to a new long-term deal with his current contract at the club set to expire in 2026. As for Leeds, though, they now have just over 12 hours to go until the window slams shut to find a suitable alternative.
The Whites remain in need of a new striker before the deadline following the dislocated shoulder Rodrigo Moreno picked up against Everton on Tuesday. Given how much Leeds were willing to splash out on Gakpo, money is clearly there to bring in someone of a high quality.
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