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Phil Hay reiterates infuriating Leeds United transfer development

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Leeds United may be unable to sign Cody Gakpo in January, should the Dutchman’s form continue to impress.

Most Leeds fans would be in agreement that the transfer window can be split into two parts, one being overwhelmingly positive, while the other was incredibly frustrating to watch unfold.

The club’s early action in the transfer market was marred quite significantly by the inability to act fast in August to bring in the forward that was clearly required to ensure Jesse Marsch had enough depth to cope with injuries.

PSV’s Cody Gakpo was the player that Leeds were most keen on signing in the back end of the window, with Victor Orta in Eindhoven making a €45million offer in order to tempt him with a Premier League move.

However, the player opted to remain in the Eredivisie until at least January, where he is showing his class with breathtaking form in front of goal.

He scored in PSV’s opening Europa League match against Bodo/Glimt, on top of his seven goals and three assists already in the league.

Such form ahead of the Qatar World Cup will bring serious admiration from elite clubs, who will be able to muscle Leeds out of the way with ease, should a January tug-of-war ensue.

Comparisons have been drawn to the Brenden Aaronson attempts in January and then the summer, but it seems as though Leeds have much less a chance with the PSV skipper.

That’s according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, who commented on the matter during a fan Q&A:

“Leeds are talking about trying again with Gakpo in January, but they have to be realistic about the fact his value will rise if he has a good domestic season with PSV Eindhoven and shines at the World Cup with the Netherlands.

“Should that happen, his sights are likely to turn to a higher level of competition than Leeds can offer — regular Champions League football in other words — and Leeds might find that he is beyond their reach.

“Aaronson was slightly different in that Elland Road was always likely to be his best option this summer. Gakpo’s choice of clubs could be far broader, so yes, maybe the boat has sailed.”

Do Leeds still need a striker going forward?

Yes

Yes

No

No

It’s always nice to see the club show ambition, but that ambition has got in the way of us making attainable signings this summer.

Placing all of our focus on Charles De Ketelaere and then Gakpo led to us losing other targets that would have been very viable signings, such as Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Having confidence in your ability to sign these players is one thing, but being able to fall back onto other options would be really useful.

I don’t think we should be holding out much hope for signing Gakpo, because his form for PSV alone will price us out of a move.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.