Manchester City have officially entered into preliminary discussions with Liverpool in an effort to secure the services of Dutch forward Cody Gakpo. The timing of the approach has caught Liverpool somewhat off‑guard, as the club now finds itself assessing its options relatively late in the transfer window. According to a source speaking to Sky Sports News, the potential transfer of the versatile winger is gaining momentum in Manchester, especially as Tottenham Hotspur have also expressed interest in the player. Negotiations are reportedly progressing on both clubs' sides, with talks also covering personal terms for Gakpo, who has been a key figure for the Netherlands national team.
While Liverpool are busy finalising the signing of French winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain – a deal structured at an initial £106 million with possible add‑ons bringing the total to £123 million – they have also already secured the arrival of Victor Muñoz from Osasuna earlier this summer. In recent weeks, Manchester City have trimmed their own wide‑player roster by allowing Savio and Omar Marmoush to move to Tottenham, thereby narrowing the selection pool for Enzo Maresca’s wing options. The decision was evident on the bench for City’s Friday victory over Crystal Palace, where no traditional winger featured.
Instead, the club deployed Phil Foden – a player Maresca himself admitted is not a natural winger – in a wide role at Selhurst Park. The transfer market chatter does not stop there.
Everton and Sunderland have both shown interest in Jack Grealish, who appears to favour a return to the Toffees, further limiting Liverpool’s depth on the flanks after his omission from the squad that faced Palace. Tottenham, having previously targeted Gakpo before completing the acquisitions of Savio and Marmoush, remain in the mix as well.
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s manager, gave a measured response on Saturday after the club’s home draw with Nottingham Forest. Following Gakpo’s assist for Alexander Isak’s goal at Anfield, Iraola told 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. It’s true we created both goals from the right side and they were very good goals." His comments suggest that decisions regarding Gakpo’s future will be made in the coming days, once the club has a clearer picture of its overall squad composition.
Meanwhile, the Barcola saga is nearing its conclusion. Sky Sports reported on Friday that Liverpool have reached a principle agreement for the French forward’s transfer, valued at around £120 million. The structure of the deal involves an upfront payment of £106 million, with up to £17 million in performance‑related add‑ons.
Both clubs still need to exchange the necessary paperwork and Barcola must pass a medical examination before the move is finalized. Earlier in the summer, PSG had set a higher price tag of roughly £145 million, but negotiations have now settled on a figure that satisfies both parties. Barcola is expected to sign a five‑year contract that runs until 2031, making him Liverpool’s second‑most expensive signing after the record‑breaking £125 million acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last season. In addition to Barcola, Liverpool are actively pursuing another wide‑area option.
Their current target is Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, who has been linked with a move after a challenging negotiation process involving Brighton & Hove Albion for Yankuba Minteh. The club’s ambition to bolster its attacking options on both flanks underscores the strategic importance placed on width and pace in modern Premier League football. The broader context of these transfer maneuvers reflects the intense competition among England’s top clubs to secure elite talent before the window shuts.
Manchester City’s pursuit of Gakpo highlights their desire to add a player capable of operating across the front line, offering both goal‑scoring prowess and creative playmaking. For Liverpool, the decision will hinge on balancing the financial outlay required for a high‑profile signing against the need to reinforce a squad that has shown both promise and vulnerability this season.
Fans can stay updated on the evolving situation through various platforms, including the Sky Sports app, which offers live streaming of Premier League action without the need for a traditional contract. Additionally, the Transfer Centre LIVE feature provides real‑time updates on transfer rumors and confirmed deals, accessible via mobile devices. As the deadline approaches, the football world will be watching closely to see whether Gakpo will don the sky‑blue jersey of Manchester City, remain at Anfield, or perhaps find a new destination altogether. Regardless of the outcome, the upcoming weeks promise to be a decisive period for both clubs as they finalize their squads for the next campaign.
The strategic choices made now will shape their competitive trajectories, influencing everything from tactical formations to the depth of talent available for domestic and European competitions. The drama of the transfer window continues to captivate supporters, analysts, and insiders alike, as each club strives to assemble the optimal blend of experience, youth, and skill to achieve success on the pitch.