Inside failed Leeds United transfer as Premier League forward breaks silence on private jet snub — YEP 5/6/24
By Joe Donnohue
Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo has spoken in a new
documentary about his decision not to join Leeds United during the summer of
2022.
The Dutch international was courted by several clubs two
summers ago, including Leeds, Southampton and Manchester United, after
contributing over 30 goals for PSV Eindhoven during the 2021/22 Eredivisie
campaign.
Gakpo - who has discussed previously his faith in
Christianity - revealed he sought God’s guidance when deciding on his next
move.
Prior to PSV’s fixture with FC Volendam on August 31, 2022,
Gakpo vowed that if he scored once, he would join Southampton, if he scored
twice, he’d sign for Leeds, or if he netted a first hat-trick for the Dutch
club that he would remain in Eindhoven.
“You have a difficult decision to make, and then you go in
prayer to talk to God and ask for wisdom. I got it.
“People may find me strange. I could go to Southampton,
Leeds came in the race and PSV wanted me to stay. I presented the three options
I had to God. If I scored once, I would go to Southampton. If I scored twice, I
would go to Leeds and if I scored three, I would stay with PSV,” he said, via
ESPN.nl.
Gakpo converted his first of the game from the penalty spot
as PSV romped to a 7-1 win, adding a second to his own tally during the first
half. In the 51st minute, a deflected strike saw Gakpo net his third, however
the award of the goal was not confirmed until after the final whistle and
required consultation from the Video Assistant Referee.
Gakpo’s then-PSV teammate Jordan Teze reportedly told the
now-Liverpool forward if VAR deemed the third goal to be Gakpo’s, it was his
way of instructing him to remain at Philips Stadion.
“Maybe it will still be your goal,” Teze is quoted. “Now it
is really in God's hands. So if God wants you to stay, you'll get that goal to
your name.”