Cody Gakpo has decided he wants to join Manchester City, sidestepping interest from Tottenham Hotspur and putting Liverpool in an awkward position they haven’t faced since 2015. The last time Liverpool sold a player directly to City, it was Raheem Sterling, and that transfer still stings in certain parts of Merseyside.
Gakpo, 27, has been one of Liverpool’s most productive attackers since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023. Letting him walk to a direct Premier League rival would be a tough pill for Liverpool to swallow, no matter the price tag.
The transfer tug-of-war
Manchester City reportedly initiated contact with Gakpo’s representatives around August 24, though no formal negotiations with Liverpool have taken place. Tottenham appeared to be further along in the process. Reports indicate Spurs had already agreed personal terms with Gakpo before City entered the picture, and Tottenham’s interest had been building since June, giving them a multi-month head start that ultimately didn’t matter once City came calling.
Liverpool’s stance has been clear: they won’t sell Gakpo unless they can secure two attacking reinforcements first. The club has reportedly been making progress on a deal for PSG winger Bradley Barcola, which could be the domino that unlocks the entire situation.
What Gakpo brings to the table
During Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning 2024-25 campaign, Gakpo registered 18 goals and 7 assists across 49 matches. He has also started recent Premier League matches this season and scored on the opening weekend.
Gakpo’s contract runs until 2030, giving Liverpool enormous leverage. The expected fee would need to surpass £75 million to even start a conversation, a significant markup from the £35.4 million to £44.3 million Liverpool paid PSV just three and a half years ago.
Why City and why now
Manchester City’s interest emerging this late in the window suggests either a tactical play or a reaction to other deals falling through. Tottenham had done everything right: identified the target early, agreed terms with the player, and positioned themselves as the logical destination. City simply showed up and changed the equation.
If this deal does go through, it would end an 11-year drought of direct transfers between the two clubs. Liverpool needs replacement deals to materialize before agreeing to anything. City needs Liverpool to actually engage in formal negotiations. And Tottenham needs to decide whether to keep pushing or pivot to alternative targets.
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