Leeds United coach Jesse Marsch has spoken about how close the club was to securing a transfer for highly-rated Dutch attacker Cody Gakpo in the summer.
As per LeedsLive, the American has spoken openly about how close they were to pulling off the transfer which now looks out of reach for the West Yorkshire club. The 23-year-old is enjoying a fantastic World Cup so far in which he has scored three goals in three games for his country against Senegal, Ecuador and host nation Qatar. Gakpo has been the stand-out performer for The Netherlands so far and the Dutch now face off against the USA with Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson for a place in the next round.
Gakpo is now believed to be heading to a top-six club, and more specifically, in the Premier League. The rumours are heating up about a possible switch from PSV to Manchester United in what will be a double blow to the Elland Road faithful. Marsch said, “First, it’s difficult for us at Leeds because I think Gakpo has gotten out of our price range, I mean we were so close to securing a transfer for him in the summer.”
“I mean we were so close to securing a transfer for him in the summer." #lufc https://t.co/tLv9ugQdyZ
— Leeds United Live (@liveleedsunited) December 2, 2022
“I mean it was so close and now obviously it’s disappointing for us. Our sport director was in Holland, meeting with the family, had agreed to terms on everything, was talking with PSV, I mean we were 99.9 per cent.”
He added, “I felt bad for Victor Orta and all the effort he put into it, and obviously it was disappointing for us, but I’ve also talked to Cody in the process and I’m happy for him to have had so much success here at the World Cup and show everyone how good he is”.
Leeds must now turn their attention elsewhere in January as Jesse Marsch looks to add some real quality in to his side. It is believed at least four new additions will be needed in the transfer window with a left-back and a striker as the main priority. Poor performances at the back have also called for some defensive reinforcements to be brought in as well as an attacking midfielder.
What do you think, can Marsch get the players he needs? Let us know in the comments.
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