PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo has revealed he nearly joined Leeds United last summer after his proposed move to Manchester United fell through.
The Dutch international was subject to heavy interest from plenty of clubs across Europe last summer, with Leeds heavily interested in the 23-year-old.
Ultimately, despite the interest, Gakpo opted to stay at PSV this summer, where he has continued to thrive. This season has seen him score 13 goals and register 11 assists in 18 games.
READ MORE: Marc Roca says Arsenal display must be 'point of reflection' for Leeds United
One of the other Premier League sides keen on landing Gakpo from PSV was Manchester United, whose new manager Erik ten Hag saw plenty of the forward last term in the Eredivisie.
The links to Manchester United were concrete and talks were held between the two clubs over Gakpo, who was close to joining ten Hag at Old Trafford.
However, the move fell through after the club opted to sign Antony from Ajax, leaving Gakpo to decide between whether or not to stay at PSV, or move to the Premier League to join Leeds, or Southampton.
"I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United," Gakpo told the Times.
"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."
READ NEXT:
- James Milner reveals his Leeds United chat with Erling Haaland during Liverpool v Man City clash
- Misfiring Patrick Bamford has a reason for optimism despite Leeds United frustrations
- Liam Cooper urges Leeds to use Arsenal display as a 'catalyst' to turn season around
- Leeds United's Thorp Arch approach as Jesse Marsch balance key in pivotal week
- Leeds dressing room have 'complete confidence' in Patrick Bamford after penalty miss in Arsenal defeat
