Liverpool have firmly declined an £80 million approach from Manchester City for Dutch winger Cody Gakpo, prompting the Premier League champions to shift their focus toward Everton's promising forward Iliman Ndiaye. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Liverpool’s hesitation stems from doubts about their ability to secure an adequate replacement for Gakpo should he depart.
Consequently, the club has signaled that they are not prepared to let the 24‑year‑old leave during this summer’s transfer window, effectively forcing City to look elsewhere for reinforcement. The rejection has set in motion a rapid series of negotiations involving several clubs.
Manchester City, having been rebuffed on their Gakpo target, have already identified a potential deal for Ndiaye, a young attacker who impressed during his loan spell at Everton. Tottenham Hotspur previously agreed on a £60 million fee with Everton for Ndiaye, and that figure now appears to be the benchmark for City’s pursuit. In parallel, City have also opened discussions with Everton regarding the possible acquisition of Jack Grealish, who is reportedly keen on a move to the Merseyside side. Everton, meanwhile, seem to view Grealish as their preferred destination, though the Sunderland club has also expressed interest in the English winger.
City’s transfer strategy this window is clear: they aim to secure a versatile wide forward and a quality central midfielder before the deadline. In addition to Ndiaye, the club have been linked with Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, a player who has attracted interest from a number of top European sides due to his composure, passing range, and ability to dictate tempo from deep. The pursuit of these two players reflects City’s desire to add depth and tactical flexibility to a squad already brimming with talent. Earlier in the month, Manchester City facilitated the departures of forward Savio and winger Omar Marmoush to Tottenham Hotspur, moves that opened up space on the flanks for new signings.
The departures also reduced the number of options available to City’s assistant manager Enzo Maresca on the wing, further emphasizing the need for fresh attacking options. The club’s recent matchday selections underscore this tactical shift: in their 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, City did not name a traditional winger on the bench, opting instead to start Phil Foden – a player Maresca himself has noted is not a natural winger – in a wide role at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool, for their part, have been active in the market as well. On Monday, they secured the services of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, a young French forward known for his pace and dribbling ability. Earlier in the summer, the Reds also added Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, a versatile midfielder who can operate both centrally and on the left side of the pitch. These signings demonstrate Liverpool’s intent to reinforce their squad depth while retaining key players like Gakpo.
Tottenham, meanwhile, had also shown interest in Gakpo during this window, but after Liverpool’s firm stance they redirected their attention toward acquiring Savio and Marmoush, both of whom now wear the Spurs jersey. The competition for top‑class forwards has intensified, with clubs across the Premier League and beyond scrambling to finalize deals before the transfer deadline. The broader context of these negotiations highlights the increasingly complex nature of modern football transfers. Clubs must balance financial considerations, squad balance, and the preferences of players themselves.
Liverpool’s refusal to sell Gakpo for £80 million suggests that the club values his contribution on the pitch more highly than the immediate cash inflow, especially given the difficulty of finding a like‑for‑like replacement. Manchester City’s pivot to Ndiaye and Fernandez illustrates a pragmatic approach: rather than overpay for a single target, they are diversifying their options to ensure they strengthen multiple areas of the squad. Fans can stay up to date with the latest developments through the Transfer Centre LIVE feature on the Sky Sports app, which provides real‑time updates on deals, rumours, and market movements. The app also offers streaming of Premier League matches without a long‑term contract, allowing supporters to watch their favourite teams as the transfer saga unfolds.
In summary, Liverpool’s decision to block Manchester City’s £80 million bid for Cody Gakpo has reshaped the summer market. City now turn their attention to Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, while also maintaining dialogue about Jack Grealish. Liverpool, meanwhile, have bolstered their ranks with the arrivals of Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz, signalling a commitment to remain competitive on both domestic and European fronts.
The transfer window remains dynamic, and with only days left before the deadline, further surprises are likely as clubs finalize their squads for the upcoming season.