Liverpool have firmly declined an £80 million proposal from Manchester City for their 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 reluctance stems from concerns about their ability to secure a suitable replacement for Gakpo should he depart. At present, the Reds are not prepared to part with the 23‑year‑old during this summer’s transfer window, which has forced City to revisit their alternative targets.
The negotiations are moving at a rapid pace. After Liverpool rebuffed City’s overture for Gakpo, the capital club quickly redirected its attention to Ndiaye, a young attacker who has impressed with his performances for Everton.
Tottenham Hotspur have already agreed on a £60 million fee with Everton for Ndiaye, and discussions are reportedly underway between Manchester City and Everton regarding a potential swap involving Jack Grealish. Everton appear to favour a move for Grealish, while Sunderland have also expressed interest in the English international. Manchester City’s transfer strategy this window appears to be two‑fold: they are seeking a wide‑forward to add pace and creativity to their attack, and a central midfielder to deepen their squad depth before the deadline. In addition to Ndiaye, the club has shown interest in Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández, who could provide a versatile option in the middle of the park.
Earlier this month, City facilitated the departures of Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham, thereby narrowing the pool of wing options available to manager Pep Guardiola’s assistant, Enzo Maresca. The Reds have also been active in the market.
On Monday, Liverpool secured the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain, a young French winger known for his technical ability and work rate. Earlier in the summer, they added Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, a Spanish midfielder who brings physicality and ball‑winning qualities to the squad. These acquisitions suggest that Liverpool are building a broader talent base, yet they remain hesitant to let Gakpo go without a proven like‑for‑like replacement. City’s recent matchday choices provide further insight into their tactical considerations.
In Friday’s Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, Guardiola did not field a traditional winger among his substitutes, opting instead for a midfield‑heavy bench. Phil Foden, traditionally a central attacking midfielder, was deployed on the flank at Selhurst Park, a move that Enzo Maresca publicly acknowledged was not a natural winger position for the player.
This experimentation underscores City’s desire to find the right blend of width and central creativity, reinforcing why they are keen on adding a specialist wide‑forward such as Ndiaye. The broader transfer narrative includes Tottenham’s own pursuit of Gakpo earlier in the window before they secured Savio and Marmoush.
Spurs’ interest indicates that Gakpo remains a highly coveted asset across the league, valued for his blend of speed, finishing, and ability to stretch defenses. However, Liverpool’s refusal to entertain a mid‑season exit for their star Dutchman demonstrates their commitment to maintaining squad stability as they aim for another Champions League campaign.
Beyond the headline deals, the market is buzzing with ancillary stories. Manchester City’s interest in Enzo Fernández reflects a strategic push to add a player capable of operating both as a deep‑lying playmaker and a box‑to‑box midfielder, attributes that could complement the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and İlkay Gündoğan.
Meanwhile, Everton’s willingness to negotiate a swap involving Jack Grealish highlights the fluid nature of transfer dealings, where clubs often leverage multiple assets to achieve their objectives. Fans of all three clubs have taken to social media to voice their opinions.
Liverpool supporters largely praised the board’s decision to keep Gakpo, emphasizing his importance to the team’s attacking dynamics and the risk of losing a key player without a ready replacement. City fans, on the other hand, expressed frustration at the setback but remain optimistic about Ndiaye’s potential impact, citing his versatility and goal‑scoring record in the Championship and Premier League. Everton supporters are divided; some see the possible departure of Grealish as a loss, while others view the influx of cash and potential incoming talent as a positive step for the club’s long‑term rebuilding plan.
The transfer window remains open, and with just days left before the deadline, clubs are expected to make final pushes. Liverpool’s next moves could involve further reinforcement of their attacking options, perhaps by exploring the market for a backup winger or a creative midfielder to complement the arrivals of Barcola and Muñoz. Manchester City will likely continue to negotiate for Ndiaye and Fernández, while also monitoring other potential targets that could bolster their squad depth.
Everton, meanwhile, must decide whether to retain Grealish or capitalize on his market value to fund future acquisitions. In summary, Liverpool’s steadfast rejection of Manchester City’s £80 million bid for Cody Gakpo has set off a chain reaction across the Premier League transfer market. City’s attention has shifted to Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández as they seek to strengthen their wide‑play and midfield options before the window closes. Meanwhile, Liverpool continues to build around its existing core, adding promising talents like Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz, while firmly holding onto Gakpo as a key component of their attacking strategy.
The coming days will reveal whether these strategic decisions pay off on the pitch and how the final transfer list will shape the upcoming season.