Manchester City have formally begun discussions with Liverpool regarding a potential transfer for Dutch forward Cody Gakpo. The timing of the approach is notable, as Liverpool are now forced to evaluate their options with the transfer window drawing to a close. According to a source speaking to Sky Sports News, the pursuit of the versatile winger is gaining momentum at the Etihad, especially as Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest in the player. Simultaneously, talks are reportedly progressing over personal terms for Gakpo, who has become a key figure for the Netherlands national team.
While the Gakpo saga unfolds, Liverpool are busy finalising other high‑profile signings. The club is on the brink of completing a deal for French winger Bradley Barcola, who is set to join from Paris Saint‑Germain for an initial fee of £106 million, potentially rising to £123 million with add‑on clauses. Earlier in the summer, Liverpool also secured the services of Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, adding further depth to their attacking options.
In recent weeks, Manchester City have made strategic moves on the wing themselves. The club allowed Savio and Omar Marmoush to depart for Tottenham, which narrowed manager Enzo Maresca's selection pool on the flanks.
In City’s most recent Premier League fixture, a 2‑0 victory over Crystal Palace, the starting eleven featured no traditional wingers; instead, Phil Foden was deployed wide, a decision Maresca openly acknowledged was unconventional. This tactical flexibility underscores City’s desire to bolster their wide‑area talent, a need that Gakpo could potentially fill. Elsewhere in the league, Everton and Sunderland have expressed interest in Jack Grealish, who reportedly prefers a return to Everton.
Grealish’s absence from Liverpool’s matchday squad against Palace further limited the Reds’ options on the right side, intensifying the club’s urgency to secure a quality winger before the window shuts. Tottenham, having previously targeted Gakpo, ultimately opted for Savio and Marmoush, leaving the Dutchman as a primary target for City.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola remained cautious about Gakpo’s future after the team’s 1‑1 draw with Nottingham Forest. Following the match, Gakpo provided the assist for Alexander Isak’s goal at Anfield, prompting Iraola to comment to TNT: “We have a few days left and we will see what happens with everyone.
I expect to have a clearer picture by September 2 regarding our squad composition.” He added that the team had created both goals from the right side and praised the quality of the finishers. Turning back to Barcola, the French winger is poised to sign a long‑term contract with Liverpool that runs to 2031. Sky Sports reported that a principle agreement has been reached for a package valued at roughly £120 million, with an upfront payment of £106 million and up to £17 million in performance‑related add‑ons. The final stages of the deal still require the exchange of official documents and a medical examination for Barcola.
Earlier in the summer, a valuation gap existed, with PSG initially demanding around £145 million for the 23‑year‑old. The revised figure reflects Liverpool’s negotiation success and will make Barcola the club’s second‑most expensive signing, trailing only the record £125 million fee paid for Alexander Isak. In addition to Barcola, Liverpool are actively scouting another winger to complement their attacking line‑up.
Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr is currently on Liverpool’s radar, especially after a protracted negotiation with Brighton for Yankuba Minteh fell through. Securing Sarr would provide the Reds with further depth and pace on the flanks, aligning with their broader strategy of reinforcing wide‑area options. Overall, the transfer window is entering its final, frantic phase. Manchester City’s pursuit of Gakpo illustrates the intense competition among top Premier League clubs for elite talent.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are juggling multiple high‑value acquisitions while also managing squad balance and financial considerations. As the deadline approaches, fans can expect a flurry of announcements, contract signings, and possibly some last‑minute surprises that could reshape the landscape of English football for the upcoming season.