Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has expressed his regret that his side couldn’t quite get a transfer for Cody Gakpo over the line in the summer.
At every World Cup, there are always a handful of breakout stars that shine on the global stage and consequently get a big move to a new side soon after the tournament ends.
This time around, it looks as though Gakpo could well be that man. After all, he has managed to score for the Netherlands in each of their three group-stage games in Qatar.
However, it’s no secret that Leeds were in for him during the summer, and while talking about it in an interview with Men in Blazers, Marsch has explained just how close the deal was.
Indeed, he said: “It’s difficult for us at Leeds because I think Gakpo’s gotten out of our price range.
“We were so close to securing a transfer for him in the summer. It was so close. And now obviously it’s disappointing.
“Our sport director was in Holland. [We had a] meeting with the family, had agreed on terms, on everything, was talking with PSV. I mean, we were 99.9%.”
TIF Thoughts on Cody Gakpo and Leeds…
There has been some talk that the Whites could try to go back in for Gakpo this winter. Now, though, after Marsch has publicly admitted that the winger is probably out of their price range, this seems rather unlikely.
Even before the World Cup, the PSV man had been in great form for his club – scoring 13 goals and setting up 17 more in all competitions – though a move to Leeds seemed fairly fanciful, too.
It may at least be of some consolation to fans to know their club are at least capable of scouting top talents before they become known as household names, but that won’t help ease the frustration evidently shared by Marsch that this deal slipped through the club’s fingers.
Will Leeds go all out for Cody Gakpo?
Yes
No
