Liverpool have firmly declined an £80 million proposal from Manchester City for their Dutch winger Cody Gakpo, prompting the Premier League giants to shift their focus toward Everton’s promising forward Iliman Ndiaye. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Liverpool’s hesitation stems from doubts about finding an adequate replacement for the Dutch international within the limited timeframe of the current transfer window.
As a result, the club has signalled that Gakpo will remain in red until the window closes, effectively forcing City to redirect their attention to alternative targets. The rejection has set in motion a rapid series of negotiations. After City’s bid for Gakpo was rebuffed, reports indicate that Tottenham Hotspur have already secured an agreement with Everton for a £60 million fee to acquire Ndiaye. In parallel, Manchester City have opened discussions with Everton regarding the possible acquisition of Jack Grealish, a player who, according to multiple insiders, prefers a move to Everton over other interested clubs.
Grealish’s situation is further complicated by interest from Sunderland, but the Merseyside side appears to be the most likely destination if a deal can be reached. Manchester City’s transfer strategy this summer appears to be two‑pronged: they are seeking a versatile wide attacker and a creative central midfielder before the deadline. The club’s scouting reports list Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández as the primary candidates for those roles.
The interest in Ndiaye reflects City’s desire to add pace and directness to their flanks, while Fernández would provide the technical midfield depth that Pep Guardiola’s side often requires. In a related move, City have recently allowed two of their fringe forwards, Savio and Omar Marmoush, to join Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month. This decision has reduced the options available to Enzo Maresca, the club’s head of recruitment, on the wing, making the pursuit of a new wide player even more urgent. The departure of Savio and Marmoush also underscores City’s willingness to streamline their squad and free up wages for higher‑profile signings.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been active on their own transfer front. On Monday, they completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain, adding a young, technically gifted attacker to their roster. Earlier in the summer, they also secured the services of Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, further bolstering their attacking depth.
These acquisitions suggest that Liverpool are not complacent about their squad composition, even as they retain Gakpo. The broader context of the window reveals a flurry of activity across the league. Tottenham, for instance, had shown interest in Gakpo earlier in the window but ultimately opted to bring in Savio and Marmoush instead, perhaps as a more economical solution. In City’s recent Premier League match against Crystal Palace, the manager chose not to name a traditional winger on the bench, instead deploying Phil Foden—who, as Enzo Maresca has pointed out, does not play as a conventional winger—in a wide role at Selhurst Park.
This tactical flexibility highlights City’s ongoing search for a specialist winger who can complement their fluid attacking system. The transfer saga also includes a commercial angle, with Sky Sports promoting its Transfer Centre LIVE service and encouraging fans to stream the Premier League via its app, emphasizing the growing intersection between football business and digital media. Additionally, the network is running a promotional Super 6 competition offering a £1 million prize, further engaging the audience during a period of heightened transfer speculation.
In summary, Liverpool’s decision to reject Manchester City’s £80 million offer for Cody Gakpo reflects a cautious approach to squad planning, prioritising continuity over a potentially risky mid‑season exit. City, undeterred by the setback, have pivoted to pursue Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández, while also maintaining dialogue with Everton regarding Jack Grealish.
Both clubs continue to navigate a crowded market, balancing immediate needs with long‑term strategic goals as the transfer deadline looms. The situation remains fluid, and fans can expect further developments as clubs finalize their rosters ahead of the new season.