Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit to sign Netherlands star Cody Gakpo with another potential suitor seemingly pulling out of the race to attract his signature.
Gakpo continues to earn rave reviews for his performances at the World Cup with three goals in four matches as the Netherlands have coasted through to the last-8. It means the PSV forward has been involved in 35 goals from only 30 games for club and country this season.
United manager Erik ten Hag and key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom had one eye on Gakpo before signing Antony from Ajax this summer. Leeds and Southampton were also interested from the Premier League, but Gakpo has seen interest in him and his would-be fee skyrocket.
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Jesse Marsch admits Leeds were 99 per cent sure they had landed the 23-year-old this summer. However, it might take around £50million to sign him mid-season and that, ultimately, means the Whites have withdrawn their quest to sign the player amid continued tracking from United and Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Marsch was pressed on Gakpo during an appearance on the Men In Blazers podcast. He said: "It's difficult for us at Leeds because I think Gakpo's gotten out of our price range.
"I mean, we were so close to securing a transfer for him in the summer, it was so close, obviously it's disappointing. Our sporting director was in Holland meeting with the family, they had agreed on terms, on everything, was talking with PSV. I mean, we were 99.9 per cent done."
In between his World Cup heroics, Gakpo has been regularly asked about his future. But the PSV starlet admits he will not give that a second thought until the ongoing Qatar showcase ends.
Gakpo said: "I'm not thinking about that [my future] now. I'm just really focused on the tournament, trying to keep performing well and helping the team and hopefully, when we become world champions, then I can think about it. The other players don't really talk about those things."
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