Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Cody Gakpo as negotiations with Liverpool continue over a potential transfer for the Netherlands international. City are preparing an offer worth approximately £85 million, but the clubs have not yet finalized the fee or completed the transfer. Gakpo has reportedly made it clear that he wants to join Pep Guardiola’s side rather than move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Direct discussions between Manchester City and Liverpool are ongoing as both clubs attempt to reach an agreement before the transfer deadline. City’s interest intensified after Savinho and Omar Marmoush left the Etihad for Tottenham, creating a need for another versatile forward.
Liverpool are willing to consider Gakpo’s departure, but the club’s position remains conditional. The Reds want to secure an adequate replacement before authorizing the sale, particularly because Gakpo has remained an important member of the team during the opening weeks of the season.
Liverpool’s search for attacking reinforcements has already produced a major breakthrough. The club have agreed a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola worth up to £123 million, including an initial £106 million fee and potential add-ons. Barcola is expected to undergo his medical before the transfer is formally completed.
The French winger is viewed as a possible replacement for Gakpo on the left side of Liverpool’s attack. Liverpool are also considering Crystal Palace forward Ismaïla Sarr and have continued to monitor Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh as they assess further options.
Gakpo started Liverpool’s 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest and provided an assist, underlining his continued importance to the squad despite the transfer speculation. He has contributed goals and assists during the early part of the campaign and remains under contract at Anfield until 2030.
The Dutchman joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in 2023 and has since developed into a forward capable of playing on the left wing or through the middle. That versatility has made him attractive to Manchester City, who need an attacker able to operate in several positions.
Liverpool are also working to protect the long-term core of the squad. Discussions over new contracts for Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konaté are reportedly progressing, although neither extension has yet been officially confirmed.
Chelsea have meanwhile agreed a separate £7.5 million deal to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. The Argentina international is expected to sign a two-year contract with an option for a further season once he completes his medical.
The Gakpo transfer remains dependent on several moving parts. Manchester City must agree a fee with Liverpool, while the Reds must complete Barcola’s move and determine whether further attacking reinforcement is required.
For now, Gakpo remains a Liverpool player, but his agreement with City has placed the Premier League champions under pressure to resolve the situation quickly. The proposed £85 million move could become one of the defining transfers of the final days of the summer window, but it should not yet be described as a completed deal.
