Leeds: £38m star could be 'Raphinha replacement' at Elland Road

Leeds United target Cody Gakpo is ‘on the rise’ and would ‘offer something fans have been missing’ since Raphinha’s Elland Road departure, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Raphinha completed a £55million switch to La Liga giants Barcelona during the summer transfer window, but head coach Jesse Marsch was unable to sign Gakpo ahead of last week’s deadline.

It is understood that Leeds are refusing to give up in their pursuit of Gakpo and, having made the PSV Eindhoven winger their top target, will push to strike a deal in January.

According to The Athletic, director of football Victor Orta travelled to the Netherlands in an attempt to reach an agreement on deadline day.

But the report suggests PSV were unwilling to sell Gakpo – who is already into double figures for goal contributions this season – so late in the transfer window and, instead, are hopeful of agreeing a lucrative new contract.

John de Jong, a director at the Eredivisie giants, has claimed Leeds did not put forward a proposal which was deemed acceptable.

It emerged that PSV value Gakpo at £38million after Southampton failed with a £21million bid last month.

O’Rourke believes Gakpo would get Leeds fans on their feet if he were to eventually seal a move to Yorkshire.

The journalist feels the 23-year-old has not reached his potential yet and, as a result, he would be an exciting addition to Marsch’s squad.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I think he definitely offers something that Leeds fans have been missing since Raphinha left.

“Cody Gakpo is still a player on the rise and I think he’s going to get better and better.”

Raphinha became a fans’ favourite during his time at Leeds, having scored 17 goals and registered a further 12 assists in 67 appearances, but