Leeds United will return to sign PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, with a €43m (£37.3m) deal ‘still possible’, according to journalist Rik Elfrink.

The Lowdown: Summer interest

The Whites were extremely keen on signing the 23-year-old on transfer deadline day and even sent Victor Orta out to the Netherlands with the aim of wrapping up a move.

However, Orta returned to England alone, with Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal thought to have played a part in Gakpo’s decision to stay put.

Leeds managed to bring in teenager Wilfried Gnonto to bolster their attacking ranks, but it appears as if they haven’t given up hope of bringing the Dutch starlet to Elland Road.

The Latest: Elfrink’s update

Elfrink, who was a man in the know late in the summer transfer window regarding Gakpo’s future, provided an update on Friday evening.

He said that Leeds ‘will return’ for the forward in January, stating that a €43m (£37.3m) swoop - in what would be a record move for the Whites - is ‘still possible’.

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The Verdict: World Cup could be crucial

Hailed as a 'sensational player' by Football Oranje editor and Dutch football expert Michael Bell, the 23-year-old has begun the 2022/23 campaign in spectacular form, contributing to 15 goals in just 12 games.

He looks certain to be in Van Gaal’s World Cup squad, and an impressive showing in Qatar could hamper Leeds’ chances of a winter swoop.

You’d expect that a number of Champions League clubs could come in for Gakpo if he impresses over the coming months, so Orta and co may well be hoping that the winger has a fairly quiet rest of the year.