Cody Gakpo crushes Erik ten Hag's transfer hopes.

Cody Gakpo scored the winner for PSV

Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven scored the game-winning goal in the dying minutes of the Eredivisie match as he appears to be leaning toward choosing Leeds United over Manchester United.

A transfer to the Premier League in January seems likely for the forward, who has a number of suitors interested in the possibility. United was one of those teams, and Erik ten Hag is well aware of Gakpo's abilities because he witnessed him up close and personal on multiple occasions while he was in charge of Ajax. PSV's game-winning goal came late in the day at Heerenveen, and it was scored by a Dutchman who has a chance to be a star player for his country at the World Cup. His goal, which came with 15 minutes left to play, ensured that his team would finish tied for second place in the Eredivisie.

The Red Devils were one of the clubs interested in the Dutchman during the summer, when they were looking to add more firepower to their lineup. However, they were priced out of a move for him when they learned that Antony would cost them more than £80 million. However, it appears that any hopes they had of returning in the New Year will not be realized because Leeds is getting closer to signing him.

Gakpo has established himself as a reliable scorer for PSV, tallying 21 goals in just the previous season. Before making a £30 million move to Elland Road, the 23-year-old forward has already scored 12 goals in 16 matches for the current campaign. The Dutchman is the first male player in the history of European football to record at least 10 goals and assists during the current campaign.

PSV's failure to qualify for the Champions League as a result of their loss to Rangers in the qualifying rounds has caused them to suffer a financial setback, and the club must now work toward achieving financial stability. Gakpo has divulged that he had been under the impression that he was going to Manchester but that they were eliminated from contention.

He had stated in the past, "A week before the end of the window I thought I would go to Manchester - and then I was suddenly in a situation where I had to choose another club in a week," but he did not end up going to Manchester. Both for me personally and for PSV Eindhoven, that was not an ideal situation. It appeared to be done in a hurry. The decision was made to continue working with PSV in the end."

Erik ten Hag was eyeing the forward in the summer

Ten Hag is still interested in making a move for Gakpo, but after spending more than £200 million during the summer, he has come to terms with the fact that a deal is highly unlikely. Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial, both of whom have started in the forward positions for United this season, provide the club with multiple forward options. At Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo was the top scorer in the league during the previous season, but the new management has relegated him to a role on the bench for the team.

After spending the majority of his time on the bench, the Portuguese superstar will be looking to make his debut in the month of January. Given that the 37-year-old was taking home half a million dollars in wages each week, his departure could result in the release of some much-needed additional funds.