Atalanta star Marten de Roon has told Gazzetta Dello Sport that Cody Gakpo made a “great choice” to remain at PSV Eindhoven and reject Leeds – having had a change of heart over a move to Leeds on the morning of deadline day.
Gakpo, 23, has been incredible this season. In just 24 appearances for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, Gakpo has scored 13 goals and laid on 17 assists. Yes, 30 goal involvements in 24 games. But it came incredibly close to being very different.
His form has continued with Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands side. In his country’s three World Cup group games, Gakpo has scored in each. A header against Senegal, a left-footed smash against Ecuador and a right-foot shot against Qatar.
A perfect hat-trick of goals, over three games. Gakpo is now being rated in the region of £70million, linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs – not least, Real Madrid. But it was Leeds he almost chose to sign for, on deadline day.
TeamTalk, among others, reported on deadline day that Gakpo had agreed to join Leeds, the night before deadline day. Victor Orta had travelled to Eindhove. But the morning after, he changed his mind. De Roon praised the decision.
“In the end he stayed, perhaps to have more chances in the national team. He made a great choice. He will play a great tournament and then it will be very difficult for PSV to keep him,” Gakpo’s Netherlands teammate De Roon said.
De Roon: Gakpo made great choice to reject Leeds on deadline day
What a signing Gakpo would have been for Leeds. Would he have produced his PSV form this season at Elland Road? Very unlikely. His goals and assists have come against lesser opposition in a much weaker league. But still, stunning.
He has scored and created goals in the Europa League and now he is doing it on the world stage. He has been his country’s best player, perhaps alongside Frenkie de Jong – who also netted against Qatar. It was the right decision.
But it would have been a sensational move to get Gakpo to Elland Road and so nearly, did it come off. Now, Leeds will know that a move for the Dutch superstar is out of the question – given his value is going to sky rocket.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
