Towards the end of the summer window, Leeds United were battling with Southampton for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo’s signature.
Ralph Hassenhüttl’s side were joined by the Whites in the chase for the forward, who had opened the door to leave the Eredivisie club.
On the deadline day, Leeds got ahead of Southampton by offering €43m bid to PSV, which was €3m more than what the Saints had proposed. Neither of them were able to take the Netherlands international away from the club.
Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink reported on Thursday that Oranje coach Louis van Gaal has advised the player against making a move to the Premier League, so that he does not end up risking his place in the national team for the Qatar World Cup.
Elfrink claim is now backed up Gakpo himself, who told the club’s official channel why he snubbed Leeds and others on the last day of the window.
“His advice was clear that I should follow my gut feeling. He did say that a switch now would not be ideal, because you end up somewhere else and you also have to get used to it. I also agreed with him,” Gakpo said, as quoted by ED.
“Then it feels a bit rushed or something. Such a step at the last minute would not have been nice for PSV and also not for myself. Eventually you put all options in a row and then the choice fell on PSV. I’m glad I can stay with my club.”
