Cody Gakpo Heading to Man City? The Shocking Deal That Could Shake Liverpool to Its Core

Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo has surprisingly emerged as a transfer target for Manchester City in what has been a chaotic summer of transfer activity for the Dutch international, according to several reports. However, as one source notes, any potential move would be "complicated."

Gakpo has also attracted persistent interest from Tottenham Hotspur throughout much of the transfer window, generating a level of attention he could hardly have anticipated following a underwhelming 2025–26 season. Handed the left wing role in the absence of Luis Díaz, the 27-year-old's performances dropped off sharply after a reasonably promising start to the campaign, with Gakpo managing just two Premier League goals across his final 18 outings.

The Reds clearly harbored concerns about their attacking depth going forward, evidenced by their determination to bring in multiple wingers this summer—prioritizing that position above all others. That commitment could now be put to the test in light of City's reported interest.

Enzo Maresca's revamped side have reached out to Gakpo's camp, according to The Times. No formal talks have yet taken place with Liverpool, but City's interest is believed to be genuine.

A replacement for the Spurs-bound Sávio has already been identified in the form of Palmeiras' 22-year-old forward Allan Elias, yet Gakpo is being considered as potential backup for Erling Haaland. City's current second striker, Omar Marmoush, is also widely expected to depart this summer, leaving Maresca short on attacking depth.

Exactly why City have identified Gakpo—a natural left winger who has visibly struggled when deployed centrally at Liverpool—as the answer to this issue is one puzzling aspect of this reported move. There are numerous other factors worth examining.

'Inconceivable'—What Would It Take for Liverpool to Sell Gakpo?

Should Gakpo become the first player since Raheem Sterling in 2015 to make the contentious switch between Liverpool and Manchester City, several favorable conditions would need to align for the Reds. Most critically, they would need to secure adequate replacements.

The Athletic suggest it would be "inconceivable" for Liverpool to approve Gakpo's departure without first signing at least two additional wingers. The club's list of targets is well established; with interest in Ibrahim Mbaye having cooled, his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Bradley Barcola remains a highly coveted option. Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh is similarly regarded as a candidate on the right—a move that could allow Rio Ngumoha to occupy his preferred left wing position more consistently.

However, the stumbling block for both targets is the significant gap between Liverpool's valuations and the sellers' asking prices. The notion that either PSG or Brighton can be pressured into reducing their demands as the deadline approaches ignores the reality that neither club is under any obligation to sell. Brighton are already set to profit from the sale of Carlos Baleba, while the reigning European champions face little in the way of financial pressure.

Unless Liverpool are prepared to increase their spending, no Gakpo replacements will be forthcoming.

How Much Would Cody Gakpo Cost Man City?

Liverpool hold a strong hand in any potential negotiations.

Gakpo, at 27 and entering the peak years of his career, still has four years remaining on the new deal he signed just last August. The Athletic suggest it would take upwards of $102.3 million (£75 million) for City to prise him away, given those circumstances and the additional premium attached to selling directly to a title rival.

City would have the financial means to meet that figure. The imminent arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi alongside Elliot Anderson's record-breaking transfer represents a combined outlay of approximately $325 million, though that has been offset by a series of departures generating a comparable sum.

What About Tottenham?

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It appears that Tottenham's attention has shifted in a different direction. The Telegraph report that Marmoush is "on the verge" of completing an $81.9 million (£60 million) transfer, following the same route recently taken by Sávio.

Marmoush essentially fulfills a similar role to Gakpo, providing versatility through the center or out wide. He would likely enjoy more regular playing time at Spurs than at City, where Jérémy Doku and Haaland are expected to be first choice when available, though Tottenham will surely only add one further forward during their extensive squad overhaul.

Whether City's pursuit of another forward ultimately leads them to Gakpo very much remains an open question.