13-goal star tells Leeds he doesn’t fancy move, could now sign for Real Madrid instead

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Real Madrid want Cody Gakpo with Leeds United now facing the disappointment of missing out on the PSV Eindhoven winger.

It was no great secret that Leeds wanted to sign another attacking player before the transfer deadline.

Daniel James was sent off on loan to Fulham but a deal for Bamba Dieng became a soap opera before he ended up staying at Marseille.

Wilfried Gnonto ended up arriving but the Italian attacker is considered to be one for the future rather than an immediate impact player.

That means another January addition could be on the cards – but their top target may be drifting away.

Real Madrid want Cody Gakpo

Leeds wanted to sign PSV Eindhoven wide man Cody Gakpo and Victor Orta headed to the Netherlands to try and secure a deal before the summer deadline.

PSV then refused to sell but Andrea Radrizzani publicly made it clear that Leeds would ‘continue to work’ on a possible deal for Gakpo.

Hopes were raised over the weekend when The Mirror reported that Leeds had thrashed out an agreement on personal terms with Gakpo.

Yet just as Leeds fans get their hopes up about signing the Dutch wide man, there is now a dent.

The Athletic report that Leeds have come close to an agreement with Gakpo in recent weeks with the PSV star potentially warming to the idea of a move.

However, Gakpo’s blistering form this season now means that he is allegedly aiming to join a club at a higher level than Leeds.

Leeds have allegedly been made aware in talks over Gakpo that he isn’t fancying a move to Elland Road right now.

Real Madrid are understood to have joined the race for Gakpo and if it becomes a straight fight between Los Blancos and Leeds, you would have to assume the Spanish giants will win.

Leeds will hang in there and hope to win the battle but with Gakpo potentially set to feature for the Netherlands at the World Cup, interest from other clubs is inevitable.

Gakpo, 23, has been simply ridiculous this season with 13 goals and 10 assists in just 16 appearances for PSV.

The left winger scored the winner against Heerenveen on Sunday to continue his great form and whilst Leeds will surely have been watching, their hopes of a deal may be drifting after all.