Leeds United have given up on their chances of signing PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo after the interventions of Louis van Gaal, according to reports.
The Yorkshire side are looking to strengthen their attacking ranks before the end of the transfer window with a deal for Gakpo now off.
Gakpo had been heavily linked for much of the window with Manchester United as the Red Devils considered him as a back-up option if they failed in their pursuit of Antony.
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And Leeds attempted to sign Gakpo before the window shut with their €43m offer for the Netherlands international beating Southampton’s €40m.
However, Eindhovens Dagblad reporter Rik Elfrink claims former Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal is ‘believed to have played a crucial role in preventing the Gakpo deal’ and Leeds were ‘baffled’ at why they weren’t able to progress a deal.
That has seen them turn their attentions elsewhere with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insisting that Leeds are ‘closing in on Bamba Dieng deal after Gakpo deal collapsed’.
Romano adds that ‘it’s permanent transfer, not a loan — he is now set to agree personal terms and join Leeds’ and Dan James ‘could leave before the end of the window’ with Fulham interested.
In an update, Romano said that Leeds’ ‘official bid’ for Dieng ‘has been accepted’ with the deal set to go through for a ‘€10m fee with add-ons included’.
There had been rumours that Jack Harrison could depart Leeds this summer with fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United reportedly interested earlier in the summer.
However, he has stayed and produced brilliant performances for Leeds at the start of the season with former Premier League striker Noel Whelan considering him worthy of an England call-up.
Whelan told Football Insider: “He’s putting in performances worthy of recognition, that’s for sure.
“But England are saturated with quality in wide areas. We have that luxury and we’re blessed with talent. It’s all about being consistent and putting in performances for 90 minutes.
“Assists and goals are a big part of catching the eye of Gareth Southgate. There’s no doubt that the talent is there for Jack Harrison.
“If he keeps putting in performances like the one we saw against Chelsea, then it’ll be very hard for Southgate to ignore him.”
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