Liverpool Faces City’s Interest in Gakpo as Deadline Approaches

Manchester City have trained their sights on Cody Gakpo as the transfer window ticks towards its close, sounding out the Liverpool forward’s potential availability without yet putting a formal offer on the table, according to ESPN.

The interest is real. So is the urgency.

Savinho’s move to Tottenham has ripped a hole in City’s wide options and left the champions scrambling for a new winger to carry them through a long, unforgiving season. Gakpo has forced his way onto their shortlist at exactly the right – or wrong – time, depending on your perspective.

The Dutchman underlined his value only days ago, starting for Liverpool and scoring a vital goal in their 2-2 draw with Newcastle. Performances like that are why Liverpool have taken a hard line all summer: they want to keep him. That stance, though, is tied directly to what happens in the final days of the window.

Liverpool are deep in their own attacking rebuild. Talks are ongoing with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, while Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh has already been the subject of two rejected bids from Anfield. The message from Brighton has been clear so far: not enough.

If Liverpool finally land one or even two forwards, the door could creak open. That is the scenario City are watching closely. Any hint that Jürgen Klopp’s side are willing to cash in, and City will have to move fast, because Tottenham are not just lurking in the background – they have shown concrete interest in Gakpo as well.

City are not putting all their faith in one chase. Chelsea winger Pedro Neto is also under consideration as they weigh up their wide options. At the same time, they have already made one significant attacking addition, agreeing a €40 million (£34m) deal for Brazilian forward Allan from Palmeiras on Monday to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s front line.

The rebuild is not limited to the flanks. Midfield has become a problem area almost overnight.

Nico Gonzalez is closing in on a move to Newcastle, another key departure from an area of the pitch that has already been stripped of major names. Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders have all left the Etihad Stadium this summer, turning what was once City’s greatest strength into a zone of concern.

City’s response has been aggressive. Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi has already landed in Manchester to complete a €100m transfer from Lille, a statement signing designed to anchor the next iteration of Guardiola’s midfield. The club are still keeping a close watch on Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea, tracking the Argentinian’s situation in London as the deadline closes in and the pressure rises on all sides.

So the picture is clear. City are trying to rebuild two key departments at once, juggling huge midfield deals while keeping the Gakpo opportunity alive.

If Liverpool blink and sign their own forwards in time, the champions will be ready to pounce. If not, they may have to find their new winger somewhere else – and quickly.