Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has spoken for the first time about just how close he came to joining Leeds United, with a dubious goals panel seemingly the difference in denying the Whites the Dutchman's talents. Less than three years ago in the summer of 2022 Leeds were heavily linked with a move for Gakpo, and there's good reason for that with the 25-year-old forward revealing how close he came to making a move to Elland Road.

Manchester United and Southampton were also in the running, but as the Red Devils turned their attention elsewhere it became a two horse race to see who could win the forward's signature, with the player having to decide whether to go to the Premier League or to stay at PSV Eindhoven.

How he made that choice is something Leeds fans will hardly believe. Speaking to The Players' Tribune about that transfer window and how he decided to stay in Holland, Gakpo said; "I prayed, and I asked God for guidance. But you see, I had to make sure I got his message.

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"So I said, If I score only one time, I’ll go to Southampton. If I score two times, I’ll go to Leeds. If I score three times, I’ll stay. I scored twice. I was also involved in a third goal – and at first, it was called as an own goal. Then I was subbed out. So, two goals, right? I thought, Ah, OK, it’s Leeds then. I was at peace with my decision.

“But after the game, they gave me the goal. I scored three, so my fate changed. I stayed at PSV.”

Luckily Gakpo scored at all, who knows where he may have ended up if he had failed to find the back of the net that day when he made his pact. The three goals meant he remained at PSV, but following his hugely impressive showing at the winter World Cup, he was soon making the switch to the Premier League anyway, but to join Liverpool.