The battle for Cody Gakpo’s signature has intensified, with Manchester City reportedly joining Tottenham Hotspur in monitoring the Liverpool forward. Gakpo scored in Liverpool’s 2–2 draw with Newcastle United, a performance that underlined his value amid continued transfer speculation. Tottenham have been linked with the Netherlands international for much of the summer, while reports on 24 August said Manchester City had made contact with his representatives, although there had been no formal talks between the two clubs at that stage.
Liverpool are not understood to be actively seeking Gakpo’s departure. The club’s position is that they would consider a sale only if they received an exceptional offer and had time to secure an appropriate replacement. Claims that Gakpo has definitively decided to leave Anfield should therefore be treated with caution.
Gakpo’s appeal lies in his versatility. He has primarily played from the left but can also operate as a central forward and, when required, in other attacking roles. Liverpool signed the PSV Eindhoven academy graduate in December 2022 for an initial fee reported at £37 million, potentially rising to £44 million through add-ons. He scored seven goals in 21 Premier League appearances during the second half of his first season at the club.
Across his Liverpool career, Gakpo has recorded 51 goals and 23 assists in 181 appearances in all competitions. He was particularly influential during Liverpool’s 2024–25 title-winning campaign, registering 18 goals and seven assists in 49 matches.
His underlying numbers also help explain the interest in him. In the 2025–26 Premier League season, Gakpo recorded an expected-goals total of 8.59, 87 shots, five assists and 10 big chances created—figures that exceeded those of Tottenham forwards Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke in the comparison cited. His 4.17 expected assists from open play was also the highest of the group.[bbc]
However, his 2025–26 campaign was uneven. He finished the league season with seven goals, his lowest return across a full Premier League season with Liverpool, and scored only three league goals after the turn of the year despite regularly starting. He ended the campaign with nine goals and six assists in all competitions.
With Tottenham continuing to monitor Gakpo and Manchester City now credited with an interest, Liverpool could face a significant decision before the transfer deadline. Yet, for now, the available reporting points to a club reluctant to sell rather than one preparing for an inevitable departure.
