Earlier on Thursday, we covered multiple claims from the Dutch press that detailed Leeds United’s plans to sign PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo on deadline day.
It was also suggested the forward could replace Daniel James at Elland Road, had the Whites sanctioned the latter’s exit.
Leeds sporting director Victor Orta reportedly made a trip to the Netherlands to carry out the negotiations for the 23-year-old. Unfortunately for him and the Premier League side, the deal didn’t progress as the player decided to continue with his current employer.
Southampton have also showed interest in Rudd van Nistelrooy’s man and were ready to offer €40m to take him away from the Eredivisie side. Leeds then tried to beat the Saints by proposing a big offer of €43m for Gakpo.
This is according to Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink, who took to Twitter to detail why the Netherlands international refused to leave PSV.
Bij Leeds United wordt gedacht dat Louis van Gaal een cruciale rol heeft gespeeld bij het voorkomen van de Gakpo-deal. De club is totaal verbijsterd, wilde 43 miljoen euro betalen en ging over Southampton heen, dat 40 miljoen wilde betalen. Zo een reconstructie op #ED en #AD
— Rik Elfrink (@RikElfrink) September 1, 2022
Elfrink claims that Leeds are of the belief Oranje manager Louis van Gaal played a crucial role in preventing the Dutchman move to Elland Road.
He adds Jesse Marsch’s side are ‘totally baffled’ with this because they were ready to offer PSV more money than Southampton to sign the attacker.
Gakpo isn’t the only one who has decided to continue where he is because of Van Gaal. Earlier in the window, the manager reportedly warned Ajax’s Jurrien Timber he could risk his place in the national team for the Qatar World Cup, if he were to join Manchester United.
