Leeds United could still sign Cody Gakpo in January after a summer deal 'collapsed around him', according to transfer insider Dean Jones

The lowdown

Fabrizio Romano reported on Transfer Deadline Day that Leeds had reached an agreement on personal terms with Gakpo and indicated a willingness to out-bid Premier League rivals Southampton for his signature.

However, his club PSV Eindhoven ultimately blocked his exit, leaving the Whites looking to the mid-season market for their next opportunity.

Leeds did manage to do one Deadline Day-deal, with Wilfried Gnonto arriving from FC Zurich, but he's viewed as a long-term project rather than an immediate upgrade on their existing options.

The latest

Jones told Leeds fans to 'look out for' Gakpo in the January transfer window because everything has already been 'set up' for the deal and Victor Orta and co. had even printed off the paperwork.

“I think Gakpo is the most essential one to look out for.

“The deal was set up, the plane was ready and the paperwork was printed, ready to sign. It just collapsed around him.”

The verdict

Leeds may hope to use the framework of their existing agreement with Gakpo once again in the winter, but there are no guarantees.

Gakpo will be playing in the Europa League with PSV and more significantly, looks poised to feature heavily at the World Cup in Qatar after starting two of the Netherlands' last three matches.

If he shines on the continental and global stage, his stock will climb even higher, and that may give him the platform to secure Champions League football.

He looks ready to take both competitions by storm, topping both the goal and assist charts in the Eredivisie after a flying start.

The 'superb' Gakpo has won some rave reviews from European football expert Alex Barker, who has called the 'playmaker' a 'fun' and 'unique' option, likening him to Kai Havertz, except with more 'speed and power'.

As such, there's bound to be significant competition for his signature once the transfer window opens.