Manchester City have reportedly entered into preliminary discussions with Liverpool with the aim of securing the services of Dutch forward Cody Gakpo. The timing of the approach, coming late in the transfer window, means Liverpool will have to weigh their options carefully as they assess the potential impact of losing one of their key attacking assets. According to a source speaking to Sky Sports News, the interest from Manchester City has intensified, especially after Tottenham Hotspur also expressed a desire to sign the versatile winger.
Negotiations are said to be progressing on both clubs' sides, with personal terms for the Netherlands international also being examined. This suggests that City are not merely scouting Gakpo but are prepared to meet his wage demands and contract expectations should a deal materialise.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are busy finalising other pieces of their summer business. The club is on the cusp of completing the acquisition of French winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain.
The reported fee stands at £106 million initially, with potential add‑ons that could raise the total to £123 million. In addition, the Spanish midfielder Victor Muñoz joined Liverpool from Osasuna earlier in the season, further bolstering the squad's depth.
The recent transfer activity at Manchester City has also altered the landscape on the wing. Earlier this month, City allowed Savio and Omar Marmoush to move to Tottenham, thereby reducing the number of wide‑players available to manager Enzo Maresca. In City’s most recent Premier League fixture—a 2‑0 victory over Crystal Palace—no traditional winger featured on the bench. Instead, Phil Foden, who Maresca openly admitted is not a natural winger, was deployed on the flank, highlighting the club’s current shortage of specialist wide‑men.
Everton and Sunderland have also been linked with Liverpool’s marquee signing Jack Grealish. Sources claim Grealish prefers a return to Everton, and his absence from the squad against Palace further limits Liverpool’s options on the flanks. Tottenham, who initially targeted Gakpo before securing Savio and Marmoush, remain interested, but City appear to have taken the lead in the race.
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s head coach, remained non‑committal regarding Gakpo’s future after the team’s 1‑1 draw with Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Following the match, Gakpo provided the assist for Alexander Isak’s goal, prompting Iraola to tell TNT: "Now we have two or three days and we will see what happens with everyone.
I'm looking forward to arriving on September 2 and knowing what squad we have." He added that the team had created both goals from the right side and praised the quality of the finishes. The Barcola deal, meanwhile, is moving forward after Liverpool reached an agreement with PSG on the structure of the transfer. Sky Sports reported that an agreement in principle had been secured for a package worth roughly £120 million. The arrangement would see Liverpool pay £106 million upfront, with up to £17 million in performance‑related add‑ons.
The clubs still need to exchange official documents and Barcola must pass a medical before the transfer can be completed. Earlier in the summer, there was a significant valuation gap between Liverpool and PSG, with the French club initially demanding around £145 million for the 23‑year‑old.
The revised figure reflects a compromise that allows Barcola to sign a five‑year contract with Iraola’s side, making him the second‑most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history, behind the club‑record £125 million fee paid for Alexander Isak last season. Liverpool are also pursuing a second winger to complement their attacking options.
Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr is reportedly on Liverpool’s radar, especially after the club’s negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh stalled. Securing another wide‑player would provide depth and competition for places, which could become crucial if Gakpo departs.
Overall, the situation underscores a busy and fluid transfer window for both Manchester City and Liverpool. City’s pursuit of Gakpo signals their intent to reinforce the right side of their attack, while Liverpool must decide whether to retain the Dutch forward or cash in and reinvest the funds into other targets like Barcola and Sarr. The next few days will be decisive, as clubs finalize deals, complete medicals, and submit paperwork before the transfer deadline closes. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments through the Sky Sports app, which offers live streaming of Premier League action without a contract.
Additionally, the Transfer Centre LIVE feature provides real‑time notifications on player movements, ensuring supporters never miss a breaking story in the fast‑moving world of football transfers.