Leeds ‘haven’t given up’ on £35m target at Elland Road

Leeds United ‘haven’t given up’ hope of signing PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Whites were one of several Premier League sides heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old over the summer and could revive their interest in him in a subsequent window.

Last month, Sky Sports reported that Manchester United were preparing a bid for Gakpo, who is believed to be valued at around £35 million by PSV.

However, the Red Devils opted to bring in Antony from Ajax instead, leaving their domestic rivals Leeds and Southampton to battle it out for the Netherlands international.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on deadline day that the west Yorkshire outfit were ‘leading the race’ for Gakpo ahead of the Saints despite neither side having a bid accepted.

Yet Leeds ended up bringing in Wilfried Gnonto after their deal for Bamba Dieng collapsed in dramatic fashion, while Southampton refused to match PSV’s asking price.

That meant Gakpo stayed put at the Philips Stadion, but Romano has since disclosed that Jesse Marsch’s charges are ‘planning to push again’ for the clinical attacker in January.

Jones has confirmed to GiveMeSport that Gakpo is still on Leeds’ radar, although he also believes that they could face stiff competition for his signature when the market reopens for business.

He said: “They haven’t given up on it. But it’ll be difficult to sign him in January because he’s got his own ideas on how his career is going to shape up from here.

“Will he want to move midway through a season? And if he does, there’ll be other clubs in the mix to sign him.”

Despite the continued speculation surrounding Gakpo’s future, he has continued to perform at the highest level for his boyhood club in