Cody Gakpo has made Manchester City his preferred destination, with talks now under way between the Premier League club and Liverpool over a potential late transfer.
The Netherlands forward had been weighing up whether to remain at Anfield or move to City or Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City made formal contact with Liverpool on Saturday evening, while Gakpo has indicated that the Etihad Stadium is his first choice if he leaves. ([bbc.com.im](https://bbc.com.im/sport/football/articles/c39m0z4m2mpo?utm_source=openai))
No agreement has yet been reached, and Liverpool are understood to be considering whether to sanction the sale so close to the transfer deadline on Tuesday, September 1.
The situation has developed after Liverpool agreed a deal worth up to £123 million for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. The Anfield club are also seeking another wide attacker, with Gakpo’s departure likely to depend on them strengthening their forward line further. ([bbc.com.im](https://bbc.com.im/sport/football/articles/c39m0z4m2mpo?utm_source=openai))
A fee of about £85 million has been reported for Gakpo, who joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in 2023. The 27-year-old has started the new campaign strongly, but the arrival of Barcola and the emergence of other attacking options could leave him facing increased competition for a regular place.
Liverpool would nevertheless be taking a considerable sporting risk by allowing Gakpo to leave, particularly with Hugo Ekitike sidelined until 2027 with a ruptured Achilles and Alexander Isak continuing to manage injury problems. ([bbc.com.im](https://bbc.com.im/sport/football/articles/c39m0z4m2mpo?utm_source=openai))
Gakpo’s possible move to Manchester City is one of the main transfer stories being discussed by Aaron Paul, former Premier League striker Charlie Austin and The Telegraph’s northern football writer Luke Edwards on BBC Radio 5 Live’s latest football programme.
