Transfer News: Manchester City may raid Liverpool for Netherlands star Cody Gakpo

Manchester City have registered an unexpected interest in signing Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo as the summer transfer window enters its final stretch.

The 27-year-old Dutch international remains firmly tied to Anfield, having penned a new five-year contract in August 2025 that keeps him at the Merseyside club until 2030. While no official club-to-club talks have taken place yet, City are closely monitoring his situation.

Liverpool's Firm Stance

Liverpool have consistently maintained that Gakpo is not for sale. The club's resolve has already been tested this summer by repeated links to Tottenham Hotspur. Gakpo underlined his current value to new head coach Andoni Iraola by starting and scoring in Liverpool's opening 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday.

Losing Gakpo seems inconceivable for Liverpool, even if Liverpool successfully sign top target Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain and strike a deal with Brighton for Yankuba Minteh, keeping Gakpo remains a priority. He provides vital cover on the left wing and serves as a necessary backup to Alexander Isak through the middle, especially with Hugo Ekitike sidelined by injury until after Christmas.

Any potential deal would command a massive fee. Gakpo's market valuation is currently estimated to be well over £75 million. Given the fierce modern rivalry between the two clubs, the prospect of selling him to Tottenham would likely be far more palatable for Liverpool fans.

City's Summer Business and Fan Reaction

If the transfer materializes, Gakpo would become City's third signing of the current window. Enzo Maresca's side have already agreed a €40 million deal for Palmeiras winger Allan Elias and reached an agreement to secure Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for an initial €95 million.

Gakpo originally joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in December 2022 for an initial £37 million, which included add-ons potentially taking the fee to £44 million. Coming through the PSV academy, he made an immediate impact in England, scoring seven times in his first 21 league matches.

He later played a key role in Liverpool's 2024-25 Premier League title-winning campaign, registering 18 goals and seven assists in 49 appearances. His form took a hit during the 2025-26 season, where he managed just three league goals since the turn of the year despite featuring regularly. Overall, he has tallied 51 goals and 23 assists in 181 appearances for the Reds.