Man City open talks with Liverpool over Gakpo

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Manchester City have opened talks with Liverpool over a possible move for Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo, with formal contact said to have been made on Saturday evening. The 27-year-old has emerged as a late transfer-window storyline, with City and Tottenham Hotspur both showing concrete interest, although sources cited by the broadcaster suggest City are his preferred destination if he leaves Anfield before Tuesday’s deadline.

The report says Liverpool would ideally bring in another attacker before allowing Gakpo to depart. It notes the club’s interest in Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr as possible replacements. The interest in Gakpo comes shortly after Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, in a move reported to be worth up to £123m.

Gakpo joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 and has scored 33 goals in 91 Premier League appearances, according to BBC Sport. The article also points out that he recently contributed an assist in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, highlighting why his future has become a major topic as the transfer window closes. More broadly, the reported negotiations underline how late-window sales and signings can shape squad planning for both Premier League clubs.