Leeds 'more likely' to sign striker than £40m star at Elland Road | OneFootball

Leeds United are ‘more likely’ to sign a player who can ‘play through the middle’ than PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Elland Road throughout the summer, but it now seems as though Jesse Marsch has turned his attention to alternative targets.

Back in June, French outlet FootMercato claimed that Leeds were ‘very attentive to the situation’ of Gakpo as they began planning for life without talismanic attacker Raphinha.

However, a formal offer never arrived for the Netherlands international, who has been labelled an “enormous talent”, and Luis Sinisterra arrived from Feyenoord to fill the gap out wide instead.

The Colombia international became Leeds’ sixth signing of the summer behind midfielders Marc Roca, Tyler Adams and Darko Gyabi, full-back Rasmus Kristensen and forward Brenden Aaronson.

And Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano previously informed GiveMeSport that the west Yorkshire outfit were planning on making just one further addition before September’s deadline.

Romano stated that the idea at Leeds is to ‘keep the current squad and to add a striker’, indicating that their pursuit of Gakpo was over.

What has Jones said about Gakpo?

The Mirror recently disclosed that Manchester United had entered the race for Gakpo, who is valued at around £40 million by PSV and is also on Arsenal’s radar.

And Jones doesn’t believe the Premier League heavyweights will face any competition from Leeds as they are focussing their resources elsewhere.

He told GiveMeSport: “I’ve been told to expect that Leeds would sign a player that’s more likely to play through the middle as opposed to out wide. So, given that, I wouldn’t really be expecting Gakpo to land.”

Who could Leeds sign?

Leeds are believed to be eager to prise Arnaud Kalimuendo away from Paris Saint-Germain after he bagged 13 goals in 38 appearances for RC Lens last season while on loan.

CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has stated that PSG ‘have told’ the Whites that they value the France Under-21 international at £22m amid growing interest from other clubs.

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Meanwhile, The Sun reported that Leeds were lining up a ‘surprise move’ for Southampton’s Che Adams as he has been ‘squeezed’ down the Saints pecking order.

Leeds were said to be hopeful of concluding a deal for around £10m for the 26-year-old, although the south coast club are expected to demand a slightly higher fee.