Speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, journalist and podcaster Conor McGilligan has admitted his delight amid ‘exciting’ transfer reports involving Leeds United.
According to Foot Mercato, Leeds are eyeing up PSV winger Cody Gakpo as a potential replacement for Raphinha should he depart this summer.
The report suggests that an ‘internal source’ at the club confessed to the French media outlet that officials at Elland Road view the 23-year-old as a ‘future offensive star’.
With the Whites demanding a £65m fee for their starring Brazilian, the article also states that the Yorkshire club would have ‘no trouble’ meeting the €30m (£25m) asking price for Gakpo – leaving McGilligan stunned.
Do you think Leeds will sign Gakpo?
Yes
No
He said: “I just… I can’t believe Leeds are in for him.
“He’s a very good player.
“Good dribbler, quick, I’ve said before – really, really powerful.
“Very dynamic, he’s always willing to take the opponent on, which I absolutely love in any sort of winger.
“That’s a really, really exciting one.”
TIF Thoughts on Gakpo and Leeds…
|
|
The 7-cap Netherlands ace ‘has everything’ according to former Netherlands midfielder Theo Janssen, although he is seen more as a right-footed left-winger – making him the opposite to Raphinha.
Nonetheless, despite the comparisons made by the reports, Gakpo starred in Eindhoven last term, netting 21 goals and providing 15 assists in a stellar campaign, where he finished the season as PSV’s joint-best performer with a 7.51 average match rating (as per SofaScore).
While it may be hard for the man once touted with a move to Liverpool and Arsenal to fill the void left by Raphinha both positionally and emotionally, he certainly has all the tools to excite the Elland Road faithful.
His averages of 2.9 successful dribbles and 2.6 key passes (SofaScore) better those of the in-demand Whites ace – albeit in a less competitive environment – but having flourished in European competition last season, it certainly is an ‘exciting’ prospect for those at Thorp Arch.