---
title: "Leeds: Tim Thornton makes fresh Cody Gakpo claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-tim-thornton-cody-gakpo-transfer-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-09-28T19:05:36Z"
modified: "2022-09-28T19:05:36Z"
---

# Leeds: Tim Thornton makes fresh Cody Gakpo claim

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) would still like to sign PSV forward Cody Gakpo in January but could find a transfer ‘difficult’, according to [Tim Thornton](https://twitter.com/skysports_tim).**

### The Lowdown: Gakpo links

Victor Orta [flew](https://twitter.com/RikElfrink/status/1565220691342917632) out to the Netherlands looking to bring Gakpo to Elland Road in a dramatic late summer move.

However, as we know, a move failed to materialise, with Netherlands manager [Louis van Gaal](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/van-gaal-cody-gakpo-leeds-24915360) thought to have played a part in Gakpo’s decision to stay with PSV.

The 23-year-old, hailed as a ‘[sensational player](https://twitter.com/MichaelJBell09/status/1523379440171974656)‘ by Football Oranje editor and Dutch football expert Michael Bell, has contributed to an impressive [19](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/cody-gakpo/leistungsdaten/spieler/434675) goals in just [13](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/cody-gakpo/leistungsdaten/spieler/434675) games this season, and looks destined to represent his country in the upcoming World Cup.

### The Latest: Thornton’s comments

Sky Sports reporter Thornton was talking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88063803-leeds-would-like-to-sign-incredible-38m-star-at-elland-road) regarding Leeds and Gakpo in a story shared on Tuesday evening.

He said that Leeds, in an ‘ideal world’, would still like to move for Gakpo in 2023, however, he said that a move could prove complicated if the player impresses in Qatar with the Netherlands.

> “In an ideal world, would Leeds like to sign him in January? I think, yes. Will they get him in January? Well, there were lots of clubs interested in the last window and if he goes to the World Cup and does really well, then it might be a more difficult deal to get done. It will depend on what happens in the next few months.”

[![Latest Leeds United news](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-51/)

### The Verdict: Spot on

You’d expect that a number of other clubs are already looking at Gakpo following his unbelievable 2022/23 form that shows no signs of slowing up, and that may only increase should he star in the World Cup.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410182″\]

Therefore, the ship may have already sailed when it comes to Orta landing Gakpo, but it appears as if Leeds may be willing to try again.

He can play [anywhere](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/cody-gakpo/profil/spieler/434675) across the front three, so could be an inspired signing, however, with his [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/cody-gakpo/profil/spieler/434675) valuation at a career-high £31.5m, any move could come at a [record](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transferrekorde/verein/399) fee for Leeds.