Cody Gakpo: Manchester City Eyes Liverpool Star Amid Transfer Deadline

Manchester City have turned their attention to Cody Gakpo as the transfer window ticks towards its final days, with the champions sounding out the Liverpool forward’s potential availability, according to ESPN.

There has been no formal bid. No direct contact with Anfield yet. But the interest is real. And it comes with a clock attached.

City hunt a winger after Savinho exit

Savinho’s move to Tottenham has ripped a hole in City’s wide options and pushed a new winger right to the top of their shopping list. Pep Guardiola’s squad suddenly looks light in the attacking wide areas for a season that will again stretch across four fronts.

Gakpo, fresh from starting and scoring in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle, has forced his way into the conversation. That goal underlined why top clubs keep circling: he can play across the front line, carry the ball, and finish under pressure.

Liverpool have been firm all summer. The message has been that Gakpo is not for sale. But that stance has a clear condition: it holds only if Jürgen Klopp’s side fail to land attacking reinforcements of their own.

Liverpool’s domino effect

Behind the scenes, Liverpool are scrambling to strengthen their forward line. Talks remain active with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, while Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh has already seen two Liverpool bids turned down.

If those deals finally break Liverpool’s way, the dynamic changes. New faces in at Anfield could open the door for serious conversations about Gakpo. City know it. So do Tottenham, who have also shown concrete interest in the Dutchman this summer.

Any green light from Liverpool would trigger a sprint, not a stroll. City would have to move fast, with Spurs ready to pounce.

Neto, Allan and a reshaped City attack

Gakpo is not the only name on City’s list. Chelsea winger Pedro Neto is also under consideration as the club cast the net wide for a wide forward who can step straight into a title-chasing squad.

One attacking deal is already done. City have agreed a €40 million (£34m) move for Brazilian forward Allan from Palmeiras, adding another versatile option to the front line. He strengthens the group, but does not fully replace Savinho’s departure or close the door on further business.

The feeling around the Etihad is clear: one more high-level attacker would turn a good window into a decisive one.

Midfield exodus forces City into high-end deals

While the forward line dominates the headlines, City’s midfield has been quietly ripped apart. Nico Gonzalez is on the brink of joining Newcastle, another significant exit from a department that has already lost Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders in the same window.

Four midfielders out. That kind of drain forces action.

City have responded by going big. Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi has already arrived in Manchester to finalise his €100m transfer from Lille, a statement signing designed to anchor the next version of Guardiola’s midfield.

The club are also keeping a close eye on Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea. His situation in London is being monitored as the deadline creeps closer, with City prepared to pounce if any opening appears.

A frantic finish at the Etihad

So the picture is layered. City are rebuilding a midfield almost from scratch while trying to plug gaps in attack, all under the pressure of a shrinking window.

Gakpo sits near the top of their attacking shortlist, his future tied to Liverpool’s ability to get Barcola, Minteh or another forward through the door. If that happens, the phone lines between Manchester and Merseyside will heat up fast.

Until then, City watch, wait, and prepare. One decisive call in the coming days could reshape both their season and Liverpool’s in a single stroke.