Cody Gakpo has claimed he turned down interest from Chelsea prior to his move to Liverpool in January. The 23-year-old winger signed for the Reds in a deal worth an initial £37 million.
Gakpo, who was close to joining Leeds United on deadline day in the summer, saw his stock rise exponentially following a superb start to the season at PSV Eindhoven. He then displayed his talent on the world stage with three goals for Netherlands at the World Cup, which prompted Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United to take an interest last month.
Chelsea invested heavily in January, which included the arrival of two wingers Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, but were left empty handed in their pursuit of Gakpo. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Gakpo admitted that his made was already 'made up' on a move to Liverpool despite Chelsea's interest.
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"I nearly went to Leeds in the summer but Louis van Gaal advised me that a change of team before the World Cup might be difficult so I decided not to go," said Gakpo. "To be honest, the speculation affected me a little bit because it was the first time it had happened to me.
"I just had to think 'forget about it, play your best and see what happens later on'. Then when I heard about interest from Liverpool in the winter, I didn't think about anything else. There was also Chelsea maybe but I already had my mind made up.
"This is a good place for me to improve and develop and eventually show who I can be."
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