Man City's £80m move for Gakpo close to collapse

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Manchester City’s proposed £80m bid for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is close to collapsing. The clubs had been in talks over the Netherlands international, but Liverpool were only prepared to consider selling if they could secure a replacement before the transfer deadline.

Liverpool’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements has complicated the situation. The BBC says the club have already signed France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, in a deal worth up to £123m, but still want another winger if Gakpo departs. Their efforts to land Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr have reportedly run into valuation issues, leaving the Anfield side leaning toward keeping Gakpo unless a late move can be revived.

The development could also shift City’s own transfer plans. According to the BBC, the Premier League champions have an interest in Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and may now turn attention to him if the Gakpo deal fails. The report notes that Ndiaye, who had been expected to join Tottenham, is now more likely to be pursued by City.

The situation matters because it highlights how late-window negotiations can depend on a chain of linked transfers, with one club’s ability to buy often tied to another’s willingness to sell.