A round-up of the latest Leeds United transfer news on Saturday, September 3.
Leeds United better Southampton bid for Cody Gakpo
Athletic reporter Phil Hay claims Leeds United had matched PSV's valuation for Cody Gakpo on deadline day with the Dutch international 'wanting to accept' Elland Road as his next destination.
Speaking on The Phil Hay Show he said: “There was a point at which Leeds were under the impression that Southampton had effectively matched PSV’s valuation or were very close to it, so Leeds, from what I’m told, went in above Southampton’s valuation in the hope of killing the competition, getting the deal done, striking a quick agreement with PSV that meant Gakpo could be on the plane the following morning.
“From what I’m told as well, they were confident and optimistic that it was their offer that Gakpo wanted to accept it was that if he was coming to the Premier League, it was Elland Road that he wanted to move to.
“But PSV dug their heels in, decided that they weren’t going to accept either offer and also made it clear that there were no grounds for negotiation on that they were not going to have a change of heart they’re going to keep him, which they have.”
Leeds United praised for summer transfer window
Former Premier League manager Alex McLeish has praised Leeds United's work in the summer transfer market despite missing out on key targets. The Whites saw a deadline day move for Bamba Dieng collapse while moves for Cody Gakpo and Charles De Ketelaere would also not come to fruition.
“Leeds have had this issue for a while now,” McLeish told Football Insider. “I think a striker was always going to arrive, it was just a matter of who.
"Bamford is an injury concern but Rodrigo has been scoring the goals now he has been moved higher up the pitch. Gelhardt is a talent but maybe not ready to carry the burden of leading the line. Leeds have done remarkably well this summer.
“They have gone out and spent which is something they didn’t do last season. A striker signing was needed so it’s brilliant they got that done.”
Cody Gakpo took Louis van Gaal advice on board as forward explains Leeds United snub
Advice from former Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal contributed to Cody Gakpo ultimately deciding to snub Leeds United on deadline day. Leeds sporting director Victor Orta travelled to the Netherlands for negotiations but returned empty handed after Gakpo decided to stay in Eindhoven.
Eindhoven Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink claimed that Gakpo’s international boss van Gaal was partly responsible for the 23-year-old deciding not to complete a switch to Elland Road. Elfrink tweeted on Thursday: “At Leeds United, Louis van Gaal is believed to have played a crucial role in preventing the Gakpo deal. The club are totally baffled, wanting to pay 43 million euros and went over Southampton, who wanted to pay 40 million.”
Gakpo has confirmed to the press that he had discussed his future with van Gaal.
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