Liverpool have firmly declined an £80 million approach from Manchester City for their Dutch winger Cody Gakpor, prompting the champions to pivot their interest toward Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the Reds are uneasy about the prospect of replacing Gakpo this summer and have therefore decided to keep the player at Anfield for the remainder of the transfer window. The rejection has set off a chain reaction in the market.
Manchester City, having been rebuffed on the Gakpo deal, have quickly redirected their attention to Ndiaye, a promising attacker who has already attracted a £60 million valuation from Tottenham Hotspur in earlier negotiations with Everton. The Premier League giants have also opened discussions with Everton regarding the possible acquisition of Jack Grealish, a player who reportedly favours a move to Goodison Park despite interest from Sunderland and other clubs. City’s transfer strategy appears to be focused on bolstering two specific areas before the window shuts: a wide forward to add pace and creativity on the flanks, and a central midfielder capable of dictating tempo.
In addition to Ndiaye, the club have been linked with Enzo Fernández, the Argentine play‑maker who impressed during his spell at Benfica. The combination of these targets would give Pep Guardiola a versatile set of options to rotate his squad and maintain the high‑pressing style that has defined City’s recent success. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been active on their own front.
On Monday the club secured the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain, a young French attacker known for his technical ability and work rate. Earlier in the summer, Liverpool also added Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, further expanding their pool of attacking talent. Both signings suggest that Liverpool are not simply sitting on their laurels; they are preparing a contingency plan in case Gakpo eventually departs, while also ensuring they have depth to compete on multiple fronts. Tottenham, for their part, had shown interest in Gakpo earlier in the window but ultimately opted to bring in Savio and Omar Marmoush instead.
Those two acquisitions have already given Spurs more flexibility on the wing, a development that has reduced the options available to Enzo Maresca, City’s director of football, when it comes to scouting wing‑players. In City’s recent Premier League match against Crystal Palace, the manager chose not to name a traditional winger among his substitutes, instead deploying Phil Foden – a player Maresca himself has admitted is not a natural wide‑man – on the left side of the pitch at Selhurst Park.
The broader transfer saga illustrates the intense competition for top‑class talent across the league. Everton, sitting in the middle of the table, are juggling offers for both Ndiaye and Grealish, while also trying to retain their own assets. Sunderland, a club with ambitions of returning to the top flight, have entered the fray for Grealish, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations.
For fans following the drama, Sky Sports offers a live Transfer Centre feed that can be accessed via their mobile app, allowing supporters to track every rumour, confirmed fee, and deadline in real time. The network also promotes a free‑trial streaming service for the Premier League, encouraging viewers to stay up‑to‑date with the latest developments without committing to a long‑term contract. In addition to the high‑profile moves, the window has seen a number of ancillary stories.
Manchester City recently permitted Savio and Omar Marmoush to join Tottenham, a decision that not only eased the financial burden on the Citizens but also gave the Spurs a boost in squad depth. This move, in turn, limited the number of wing options available to Enzo Maresca, forcing City to look elsewhere – namely at Ndiaye and Fernández – to fill the gap.
The transfer market remains fluid, with each club weighing the cost of a player against the potential impact on the pitch. Liverpool’s decision to keep Gakpo underscores their belief in his importance to their attacking blueprint, while City’s swift shift to alternative targets demonstrates their relentless pursuit of talent that can sustain their domestic and European ambitions. As the deadline approaches, supporters can expect further negotiations, last‑minute bids, and perhaps even surprise signings that could reshape the landscape of the Premier League for the upcoming season.
For those looking to engage with the sport beyond the pitch, Sky Sports also runs promotional contests such as the Super 6 competition, offering participants a chance to win £1 million with free entry. These initiatives aim to keep fans engaged throughout the transfer window and beyond, ensuring that the excitement of football continues year‑round.