Leeds United and Southampton are set to miss out on a deadline day swoop for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.
The Premier League pair had set their sights on the Dutch winger with Southampton offering to meet the Eredivisie side’s valuation of the player.
PSV, though, are refusing to do business, despite the Saints’ offer whilst Leeds have had a bid rebuffed.
The current Eredivisie leaders have opted against selling their academy graduate and are hopeful that he will sign a new deal.
Leeds director of football Victor Orta travelled to the Netherlands in hope of tying up a deal but now it looks as though he will return to Elland Road empty handed.
It remains to be seen whether PSV would entertain an 11th-hour bid for the 23-year-old but if Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s side are to be tempted into a sale, it’s believed the fee would be around £35million.
Manchester United initially looked set to move for Gakpo but coolled their interest, instead swooping for Ajax star Antony in a £85m deal.
Gakpo’s performances last season helped elevate his profile as he registered 21 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.
This season alone, the Dutchman has already netted six goals and added three assists in just four Eredivisie fixtures including a hat-trick in Wednesday night’s 7-1 win over Volendam.
Speaking after PSV’s victory over Excelsior Rotterdam on Sunday, Gakpo appeared open to a switch but admitted he would be happy to remain at the Philips Stadion.
He told reporters: “It’s like a puzzle so in the next few days I will see which puzzle fits best. For me, it would certainly not be bad to stay at PSV. We’ll see.”
Gakpo has made 143 appearances for PSV since his debut in 2018 and has found the net four times in eight international appearances for the Netherlands.
Louis van Gaal also encouraged the player to stay with PSV Eindhoven ahead of this winter’s World Cup.
via talksports.com
