Sky Sports reporter delivers Cody Gakpo update amid reported Leeds United agreement
Leeds United are still “highly interested” in Cody Gakpo but do not have an agreement with him, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Mirror reported on Saturday (8 October) that the Dutch star was set to move to Elland Road after agreeing personal terms with the club, in what was termed a “crushing blow” to Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, but The Athletic’s David Ornstein then reported on Monday morning (10 October) that the PSV winger wasn’t currently interested in the Whites thanks to his early-season form attracting bigger clubs.
According to Plettenberg, the 23-year-old would like a move to one of Europe’s top sides but Leeds are still pressing, with a winter move still on the cards although it is currently unclear where.
Writing on his Twitter page Monday night (10 October) the Sky Sports Germany reporter said: “News Gakpo: Been told that there is no agreement with LUFC at this stage.
“Leeds United is highly interested but the player would like to make a step to a bigger club like MUFC, MCFC, Real, Barcelona or FC Bayern.
“A transfer in winter is not excluded.”
Gakpo has now scored 13 and assisted 10 in 16 games so far this season across all competitions.
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What a difference a couple of days apparently makes whenever it comes to the Whites trying to sign the Eredivisie star.
He was on the brink of a move to West Yorkshire at the end of the transfer window, with Victor Orta and a private jet ready to bring him over, before a combination of Louis van Gaal and former PSV technical director John de Jong put a stop to it.
And now, he has gone from personal terms agreed to not interested between the two reports just over a month later.
It appeared that a major coup had been pulled off by the Whites hierarchy, since his form is sure to be attracting interest from all directions.
The Mirror had suggested that Manchester United were out of the running, having run out of cash after the purchase of Antony from Ajax.
Some of the other names mentioned shouldn’t have any such issue, although the irony of Barcelona being on the list after their financial gymnastics in the summer to sign another wide attacking star, Raphinha, won’t be lost on Leeds fans.
This chase is starting to resemble the most infuriating parts of the pursuits of both Charles de Ketelaere and Bamba Dieng, as there is a quality player apparently looking elsewhere while the Whites furiously push for a deal, and apparently being close twice before things falling apart.
It seems like Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side need to make a sale to make up for missing out on the Champions League, so it may depend whether they can rustle up enough cash at Old Trafford, or if any of the other European giants decide Gakpo is for them in January.
So the Whites will apparently need to wait to see if they can pick up the pieces if not, although patience is surely wearing thin at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, Rio Ferdinand shows that he doesn’t pay enough attention to his former club any more.