With every great performance that Cody Gakpo puts in for both PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands these days, you can hear a small groan emanating from Leeds United.
That’s because the Elland Road side tried to sign the Dutchman late in the summer transfer window, but saw their attempt rebuffed by the Eredivisie side, who were expecting more.
They decided to hold onto their star instead of letting him go to Leeds, and it’s paid off, as he continues to shine in both domestic and European football, and he has now scored at the World Cup.
The forward bagged the first of Netherlands’ two goals against Senegal, putting him firmly in the history books, which will have delighted PSV.
Every goal he bags at the tournament will be an extra excuse for his club to ask for more money, even if they know full well that his time in Eindhoven is limited.
Either way, PSV are prepared for whatever happens next, as explained by Barry van Aerle, a scout for the Dutch club, who was asked about the player and his World Cup goal by Eindhovens Dagblad.
Relayed by Voetbal Primeur, he said: “Great for him and the national team that he scored that goal. Cody took a risk and was rewarded. We have a list of candidates at PSV that we can switch to if something really started to happen around him.
“The starting point is always that you want to become even better as a club, but there are no guarantees. One new player is doing great, the other isn’t.”
It remains to be seen if Leeds, who have been touted as likely to return in January for the player, do put money on the table for Gakpo in the next few months, and if so, how much.
