Phil Hay plays down Leeds chances of signing Cody Gakpo, after summer failure

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It has been widely reported. Victor Orta woke up in Eindhoven on deadline day, but failed to secure the Leeds signing of Cody Gakpo. Phil Hay now says Leeds will find it nearly impossible to sign Gakpo, having missed out this summer.

Gakpo, 23, emerged as a late target for Leeds in the final days of the window. Orta travelled to the Netherlands on Wednesday evening. Reports said that Gakpo was actually due to join Orta on the return flight, on Thursday morning.

But he had a change of heart, over a club-record £34million deal. It comes after Gakpo has scored seven goals and laid on six assists in 10 22-23 appearances. Andrea Radrizzani took to Twitter to suggest Leeds will continue to pursue him.

But Hay, speaking on his Athletic podcast on Monday, said that he does not believe Leeds have much of a chance of signing Gakpo from this point on in. He thinks a successful season will attract the lure of Champions League clubs.

“There’s nothing in the way PSV acted with Gakpo that they would be open to a pre-January agreement. If Gakpo has a good World Cup, a good domestic season with PSV, his value is going to go up.

“I think he will fairly rapidly into the Champions League bracket. I would question, quite honestly, what chance Leeds have of signing Gakpo beyond this window. They will seriously have to push the boat out,” Hay said.

Hay says Leeds will find it nearly impossible to sign Gakpo in future

Hay has a point. Leeds would have already been shelling out a club-record £34million deal to sign Gakpo. Instead, they brought in youngster Willy Gnonto from FC Zurich. That value is only going to grow during the 2022-23 campaign.

This season, he already has 13 goal involvements in 10 games. If he continues that kind of form, his value is going to sky rocket. Antony joined Manchester United for £85m. He produced 12 goal involvements in the Eredivisie last term.

So, Gakpo will attract Champions League attention, and his value could easily surpass £50million. Well out of the reach of Leeds. This summer was the club’s last chance, and they have failed to strike a deal.