PSV reveal they didn't take Cody Gakpo offer 'seriously' because of Champions League clause

Cody Gakpo's move from PSV to the Premier League failed because the Dutch side didn't take one bid 'seriously' due to a Champions League clause.

In the summer Gakpo's name was brought up on quite a few occasions and was one of a number of forwards who was heavily linked with Manchester United.

It seemed like any attempt from Erik ten Hag's side focused on whether or not they could sell Cristiano Ronaldo, with his attempts to sign Antony another question.

Antony eventually did move to Old Trafford, scoring against Arsenal on his debut, but Ronaldo remained at the club, even if he could yet leave in January.

With a move to one United off the table, Gakpo's next potential location was Leeds United but the Yorkshire club failed to sign him on deadline day.

Antony's move to United all but ended Gakpo's chances of moving. Image: Alamy

It was claimed that the deal 'collapsed' because of the would be selling club, but now PSV's Michael Brands, formerly of Everton, has revealed it was due to the clauses involved in the transfer.

That included the Dutch team earning money, if Jesse Marsch's side manage to finish in the Premier League's top four and qualify for the Champions League.

"It was thirty million euros plus thirteen, with only two million of the bonuses being realistic," Brands told Netherlands outlet VI, via Voetbal Primeur.

"For example, we would get six million if they made it to the Champions League. This was the best offer and we all said no to that.

"I can say with my hand on my heart that there has been no offer for Cody to which the management or the supervisory board have said: 'We must do this.'

"There has never been a vote, I read that everywhere. We did state that if there were certain offers, we had to sell. Not only from a financial point of view, but also because agreements were made with the camp before my time."

Gakpo celebrates scoring last week. Image: Alamy

Leeds failure to sign the 23-year-old forward led them to make an offer for Marseille striker Bemba Dieng on deadline day, and it looked like they would get him.

However, late in the day things got very dramatic, as Dieng sat in a private airport with a plane waiting to take him to the north east of England.

The striker though decided not to get on the plane as he chose to move across the south of France and instead of going to Leeds he wanted to sign for Nice.

The English club would have been sighing with relief, and laughing at the same time, later that night as Dieng went on to fail his medical.

Leeds' appointment of Marsch last season, after Marcelo Bielsa's sacking, along with the summer signings of Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams have made them extremely popular in America.

Earlier in the season they were given a prime slot on American television, with Manchester City's game that day being bumped onto a streaming service.

SPORTbible Stories is the brand-new podcast from the SPORT team at LADbible. The first episode features a chat with former Burnley manager Sean Dyche as he opens up on his departure from Turf Moor, what the future holds and the amazing story of the spin wheel for fines while in charge of the Clarets. You can watch the first episode here.