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Manchester City are reportedly on the verge of completing a record-setting transfer for Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo, with their bid gaining momentum after Tottenham Hotspur redirected their attention toward Everton's Iliman Ndiaye.
For a player who experienced one of his most disappointing Premier League campaigns last season—a spell in which he was outscored by both of Everton's widely panned strikers, Beto and Thierno Barry—Gakpo has somehow become the defining name of this summer's transfer window.
The Dutch international first appeared on Tottenham's radar as Roberto De Zerbi's struggling side sought yet another Premier League player at a heavily inflated price. In a surprising development, Manchester City also entered the picture and now appear to hold the upper hand over Spurs.
Concerned about reduced playing time following the imminent signing of Bradley Barcola, Gakpo has given the green light to a move to City, according to The Athletic. A fee close to Liverpool's steep asking price of $115.2 million (£85 million) is under discussion as all three clubs look to finalize an agreement before Tuesday's transfer deadline. No player has transferred directly between the two modern-day rivals since Raheem Sterling's contentious move in 2015.
Such a figure would make Gakpo the most expensive Dutch footballer in history, eclipsing Frenkie de Jong's transfer from Ajax to Barcelona in 2019, which was valued at approximately $98 million at the time.
Tottenham Turn Attention to Two-Way Move
With Gakpo apparently preferring a move to City, Spurs have been compelled to explore other options, turning their gaze specifically toward Everton.
Ndiaye, who was himself reportedly a target for Manchester City in this whirlwind of Premier League winger transfers, is now expected to complete a move to Tottenham. Richarlison, in a completely separate transaction, will be heading back to Everton.
Paul Joyce of The Times reports that Spurs will pay $81.3 million (£60 million) for Ndiaye while recouping $47.5 million (£35 million) from the sale of Richarlison.
By structuring two separate deals, both clubs stand to record a profit in this year's financial accounts. The logic is straightforward for Everton, who are spending less than they receive, while Tottenham can spread Ndiaye's transfer fee across his contract duration and pocket the full Richarlison sale proceeds upfront.
Division at Liverpool Over Gakpo Exit
Gakpo's potential departure has sparked a genuine debate on Merseyside. While it's evident that a winger with just seven league goals last season is unlikely to attract such a lucrative offer in many other transfer windows, there are concerns about whether sufficient time remains to bring in a replacement. Gakpo's bright start to the new season, contributing a goal and an assist across the opening two matchdays, has only added to the complexity of the situation.
For Liverpool's captain, however, the matter is straightforward: he simply does not want to lose his teammate.
"He's a quality player," Virgil van Dijk told reporters following Saturday's 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest. "I think we should keep quality players. Let's see what the next few days bring. I want him to stay not only because he's a quality player but also because he's a friend of mine. He's very important for us."
That view was not echoed by a celebrated Liverpool centre-back from a previous era. Jamie Carragher was unequivocal on social media that Gakpo should be sold without hesitation. "The money talked about for Gakpo £80–85 million we should sell. With Barcola arriving he will be a squad player," the former defender wrote. "We need to use that money for a right winger and give the squad a better balance."
Despite defensive vulnerabilities and weaknesses at fullback, Liverpool's primary focus in the closing hours of the transfer window appears to be on adding another winger. Even accounting for Gakpo's anticipated departure, Andoni Iraola would still have four options for the left flank (Barcola, Victor Muñoz, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa). The right wing, by contrast, remains almost entirely bare unless Liverpool plan to deploy one of their left-sided attackers out of position.