With the summer transfer window ticking towards its September 1 deadline, Liverpool find themselves at the centre of a tug-of-war over one of their most versatile attackers. Cody Gakpo—the Dutch international who arrived from PSV Eindhoven for £44m in January 2023—has suddenly become the subject of intense interest from both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. And if the Reds aren’t careful, they could lose him before the window slams shut.
The Race Heats Up
Tottenham have been leading the charge for Gakpo since June. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has made the 27-year-old a priority target and has personally urged the club to push hard for his signature. Spurs have already submitted a £60m offer, which Liverpool swiftly rejected. According to reports, they are now preparing a “new official bid” to try and close the deal.
Personal terms are not an issue—Gakpo has reportedly agreed a contract in principle with Tottenham that would keep him at the club until 2031. The London club see him as the perfect fit for their attack, with De Zerbi even considering using the former PSV captain as a central striker.
Manchester City, however, have thrown a dramatic late curveball into the equation. The Premier League champions have entered the race, making contact with Gakpo’s representatives to communicate their interest. According to Fabrizio Romano, City are now in “active talks” with Gakpo’s agents.
The timing is significant. City are offloading Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham in deals worth up to £85m, leaving them with a forward shortage. Gakpo fits the profile of the versatile attacker they need to replenish their ranks.
Liverpool’s Stance: A Complicated Equation
Here’s where it gets interesting. Liverpool are not actively looking to sell Gakpo. He started and scored in the Reds’ Premier League opener against Newcastle and has impressed manager Andoni Iraola throughout pre-season. Iraola rates him highly and has made it clear he wants to keep the Dutchman.
However, there is a catch—and it’s a big one.
Liverpool will only consider selling Gakpo if they can sign two new wingers before the transfer deadline. Their primary targets are Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh. Barcola is viewed as Gakpo’s direct replacement on the left flank, while Minteh is seen as Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor on the right.
The problem? Neither deal is straightforward. Liverpool have already had bids of £86m and £98m rejected for Barcola, and PSG are still holding out for a fee in the region of £125m. Brighton, meanwhile, have turned down offers of £50m and £60m for Minteh and are holding firm on a £70m valuation.
As Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof put it: “As long as Barcola isn’t at Anfield, the chance of a deal for Tottenham seems nil”.
The Numbers: What Would It Take?
The financial stakes are significant:
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Liverpool’s valuation of Gakpo | ~£70m–£72m |
| Tottenham’s rejected bid | £60m |
| Gakpo’s contract | Until 2030 |
| Annual salary | ~$13m |
Liverpool are under no financial pressure to sell. Gakpo is on a long-term contract, having signed a five-year extension just 12 months ago. That puts the ball firmly in Liverpool’s court—and they’re playing hardball.
Would Gakpo Actually Leave?
The player himself faces a decision. He has already agreed personal terms with Tottenham, but City’s late entry has complicated matters. According to Romano, Gakpo will have a choice to make if Liverpool decide to sell.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein and James Pearce have reported that City have expressed interest but have not yet held direct talks with Liverpool. Sky Sports confirms that no club-to-club discussions have taken place at this stage. That means Tottenham remain in the stronger position—for now.
But City’s financial firepower, boosted by the high-profile departure of Rodri, could give them an edge if a bidding war erupts.
A Race Against Time
With just days remaining in the transfer window, this saga is far from over. Liverpool need to secure Barcola and Minteh before they’ll even entertain the idea of selling Gakpo. Tottenham need to submit an offer that meets Liverpool’s £70m-plus valuation. And City need to decide whether they’re willing to go head-to-head with Spurs in a bidding war—and convince Liverpool to sell to a direct rival.
As Lewis Steele of the Anfield Index put it: “Of all the Liverpool transfer news still to be resolved over the final seven days of the window, Cody Gakpo potentially joining Manchester City might be the most unexpected”.
One thing is certain: the next few days will determine whether Gakpo remains on Merseyside or becomes one of the most surprising deadline-day moves in recent Premier League history.
What do you think? Should Liverpool cash in on Gakpo to fund a rebuild, or is he too valuable to let go? And would you rather see him at Tottenham or Manchester City?
