Liverpool have firmly declined a reported £80 million approach from Manchester City for their Dutch winger Cody Gakpo, prompting the capital club to shift its focus toward Everton’s promising forward Iliman Ndiaye. According to sources close to Sky Sports News, Liverpool’s hesitation stems largely from doubts about finding a suitable replacement for Gakpo within the tight timeframe of the current transfer window. As a result, the Reds have signalled that they are not prepared to let the 25‑year‑old depart before the window shuts, effectively forcing City to revisit their alternative targets.
The rejection has set off a rapid chain of negotiations. After City’s bid for Gakpo was turned down, their attention turned to Ndiaye, a young attacker who has already attracted interest from several Premier League clubs. Tottenham Hotspur previously agreed on a £60 million fee with Everton for Ndiaye, and the two clubs have already opened direct talks about a potential swap involving Jack Grealish. Everton, meanwhile, appear to be leaning toward sending Grealish to Manchester City, although the Merseyside side also faces interest from Sunderland for the England international.
Manchester City’s transfer strategy this summer has been clear: they want to secure a versatile wide forward and a creative central midfielder before the deadline. In addition to Ndiaye, the Citizens have identified Enzo Fernández as a potential midfield signing.
The club has already made moves to free up space on the wings, having allowed Savio and Omar Marmoush to join Tottenham earlier in the month, which reduces the number of attacking options available to manager Pep Guardiola. The broader context of the market shows how competitive the summer window has become.
Liverpool, for their part, have been active on the recruitment front despite the setback with Gakpo. They secured the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain on Monday, adding a fresh attacking spark to their roster. Earlier in the summer, they also brought in Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, a midfielder expected to provide depth and competition for places.
Tottenham’s involvement in the saga is also noteworthy. The Spurs had initially shown interest in Gakpo before opting to sign Savio and Marmoush, indicating that they were prepared to invest heavily in attacking talent. Their earlier agreement with Everton over Ndiaye suggests that they remain keen on bolstering their forward line, even as they navigate the financial realities of a market where top‑flight clubs are willing to spend significant sums for proven talent. City’s recent matchday decisions hint at their tactical flexibility.
In their Friday victory over Crystal Palace, Guardiola did not name a traditional winger on the bench, instead deploying Phil Foden – a player whom Enzo Maresca, the club’s head of recruitment, has described as not being a classic winger – on the flank at Selhurst Park. This experimental approach underscores City’s desire to adapt their formation and personnel to suit the players they can acquire, rather than sticking rigidly to conventional roles. The transfer deadline looms, and every club is racing against the clock. Liverpool’s refusal to sell Gakpo could force City to accelerate their pursuit of Ndiaye and Fernández, while also keeping an eye on other potential signings that could complement their evolving tactical setup.
Meanwhile, Everton must decide whether to part with Grealish, a player who has expressed a preference for a move to Manchester City, or to explore alternative offers that might better suit their long‑term plans. Fans of all clubs are closely monitoring the situation, especially as the Premier League’s Transfer Centre LIVE app provides real‑time updates on deals, rumors, and official confirmations.
The platform also promotes its streaming service, encouraging supporters to watch matches without a contract and to download the Sky Sports app for instant notifications. In summary, Liverpool’s decision to reject Manchester City’s £80 million bid for Cody Gakpo has reshaped the summer transfer narrative. City’s attention now pivots to Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández as they aim to reinforce their squad before the window closes. Meanwhile, Liverpool continues to strengthen its own ranks with new signings like Barcola and Muñoz, while Tottenham and Everton navigate their own set of challenges and opportunities.
The coming days will reveal whether City can secure their targeted players and how Liverpool’s squad will evolve without Gakpo, but one thing is clear: the race for talent this summer remains as fierce and unpredictable as ever.