Manchester City have formally begun discussions with Liverpool about acquiring Dutch international Cody Gakpo. The timing of the approach is notable, as it arrives relatively late in the summer transfer window, prompting Liverpool to carefully assess their options and the potential impact on their squad composition. According to a source speaking to Sky Sports News, the prospect of Gakpo moving to the Etihad Stadium is gaining momentum, especially as Tottenham Hotspur have also expressed interest in the versatile forward. Negotiations are reportedly progressing on both clubs' sides, with talks already under way regarding the personal terms that would be offered to the Netherlands winger.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are busy finalising other deals. They are on the brink of securing the services of French winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain in a deal that could rise to £123 million, depending on performance‑related add‑ons. In addition, the club completed the signing of Victor Muñoz from Osasuna earlier this summer, adding further depth to their attacking options. In recent weeks, Manchester City have also made moves in the winger market.
The club allowed Savio and Omar Marmoush to join Tottenham, which has reduced the number of wide‑players available to City manager Enzo Maresca. This was evident in City’s recent Premier League match against Crystal Palace, where the starting XI featured no traditional winger.
Instead, Phil Foden – a player Maresca has openly stated is not a natural winger – was deployed on the flank, highlighting the shortage of specialist wide‑players on the bench. The transfer saga surrounding Gakpo is part of a broader pattern of activity in the English top flight. Everton and Sunderland have both been linked with Jack Grealish, who is believed to favour a return to the Toffees.
Grealish’s absence from Liverpool’s line‑up against Palace further limited the club’s options on the right side of the pitch. Tottenham, after initially targeting Gakpo, ultimately secured the signings of Savio and Marmoush, indicating that their interest in the Dutch forward may have waned or been redirected.
In a recent interview, Liverpool’s manager Andoni Iraola remained non‑committal about Gakpo’s future after the team’s home draw with Nottingham Forest. Iraola praised Gakpo’s contribution – noting that he provided the assist for Alexander Isak’s goal at Anfield – and hinted that a decision could be reached within the next few days, stating, "Now we have two or three days and we will see what happens with everyone. I'm looking forward to arriving at September 2 and knowing what squad we have." Barcola’s pending move to Liverpool is also a significant storyline.
Sky Sports reported that an agreement in principle has been reached for the 23‑year‑old French winger, with the total package valued at around £120 million. The structure of the deal involves an upfront payment of £106 million, with up to £17 million in add‑ons contingent on performance and appearances. The clubs still need to exchange the necessary paperwork and Barcola must pass a medical examination before the transfer can be completed. Earlier in the summer, there was a notable gap in valuation between Liverpool and PSG, with the French club initially demanding roughly £145 million for Barcola.
The revised figure reflects successful negotiations and a willingness on both sides to bridge the gap. If the transfer goes through, Barcola will sign a five‑year contract extending to 2031, making him Liverpool’s second‑most expensive signing after the club‑record fee paid for Alexander Isak, who arrived from Newcastle for £125 million last season. Liverpool are also actively pursuing another winger to bolster their options on the right flank.
Their current target is Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, who has been linked with a move after a difficult negotiation process involving Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh. The pursuit of Sarr underscores Liverpool’s desire to add pace and creativity to their attacking unit, especially as they look to replace outgoing players and cover for potential departures. Overall, the transfer window remains highly dynamic, with clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and others maneuvering to secure the best talent. The Gakpo negotiations illustrate the competitive nature of the market, as top clubs vie for versatile forwards who can contribute both goals and assists.
While the final outcome for Gakpo is still uncertain, the ongoing discussions suggest that a decision could be reached shortly, potentially reshaping the attacking line‑ups of both Manchester City and Liverpool for the upcoming season.