Cody Gakpo seeks Manchester City move as Liverpool open talks over €100m deal
Liverpool and Manchester City have opened negotiations over a transfer for Cody Gakpo after the Dutch forward rejected Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the transfer deadline.
Negotiations between Premier League rivals
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has decided to join Manchester City, prompting direct negotiations between both clubs to finalize a transfer before the window closes. The 27-year-old Netherlands international rejected a proposal from Tottenham Hotspur after City intensified their pursuit in late August. Reports indicate City are prepared to pay nearly €100 million including add-ons, though Gakpo must still agree to personal terms before the transfer deadline. The potential switch represents a rare direct transfer between two clubs competing at the top of English football.
- Liverpool sign Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an initial £37 million fee
- Gakpo signs a five-year contract extension with Liverpool
- Manchester City register interest in signing Gakpo
- Liverpool and Manchester City open talks after Gakpo chooses the Etihad
Tactical reshuffling across both squads
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca sought attacking reinforcements following the departures of Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham earlier this summer. Alongside their pursuit of Gakpo, City agreed to a €40 million (£34.3 million) transfer for Palmeiras winger Allan Elias. Meanwhile, Liverpool's openness to a sale follows an agreement to sign winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for up to £123 million. Liverpool still prefer to secure an additional forward before sanctioning Gakpo's departure, maintaining interest in Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola addressed the uncertainty surrounding the Dutch forward during a press conference earlier in the week.
I cannot guarantee anything.
Gakpo's Anfield record and form trajectory
Gakpo started and provided an assist in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 29 August. Since arriving from PSV Eindhoven's academy system in December 2022 for an initial £37 million (rising to £44 million with add-ons), he has recorded 50 goals and 23 assists in 180 appearances for the Merseyside club. That included seven goals in 21 league games during his first half-season, followed by 18 goals and seven assists in 49 appearances during Liverpool's 2024-25 Premier League title run. His contributions earned him a five-year contract extension in August 2025.
- Goals
- 50
- Assists
- 23
However, Gakpo experienced a dip in league production during 2026, scoring only three times in the Premier League since the turn of the year despite regularly starting. At the World Cup, he scored three goals in four appearances as the Netherlands reached the round of 32 before losing to Morocco on penalties. Gakpo made himself available for the national team shortly after his partner, Noa, revealed they had lost their child during pregnancy.
Tottenham's summer squad rebuild
Tottenham missed out on Gakpo after the forward prioritized a move to Manchester. Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi previously told a media roundtable that the club was working on "another bomba" in the transfer market. Tottenham have already spent heavily this summer, signing Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Jan Paul van Hecke, while adding Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka on free transfers. With Will Lankshear sold to Middlesbrough and no additional striker yet recruited, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke remain Tottenham's primary central forward options.
