Cody Gakpo has been given extra reason to be glad a transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City collapsed, after the Premier League leaders were confirmed to have been found guilty of breaching financial regulations.
The Dutchman had looked set to move on for the majority of the summer as the Reds looked to bolster their attacking options, and was the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Liverpool landed Bradley Barcola in a deal worth up to £123m from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the window following a summer-long pursuit, with Gakpo anticipated to make way as a result.
The Reds already had Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz on the books, having activated a £34.5m release clause in the World Cup winner’s Osasuna contract, and were still on the lookout for a replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right flank. But after missing out on Yan Diomande and seeing bids rejected for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr, Liverpool decided they would be better off keeping Gakpo despite the fact it would leave them with four wingers who all favoured playing on the left-wing.
Gakpo's impressive start
So far, such a decision has been more than vindicated. Gakpo has started the season in electrifying form, impressing on both flanks as he returned two goals and four assists from his first six outings under new head coach Andoni Iraola. Such returns included both a goal and an assist against Spurs in Liverpool’s 3-1 win in the League Cup last month, as the Dutchman put the side who had spent most of the summer seemingly leading the race for his signature to the sword in emphatic fashion.
Given the North London outfit's ongoing struggles on the pitch and poor start to the season, many commented how he must have been relieved to still be wearing a Reds shirt rather than Tottenham white when the two sides locked horns. Yet had Gakpo been granted an exit, it would have been off to the Etihad rather than the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After claiming an assist against Nottingham Forest in what could have proven to be his final appearance for Liverpool on August 29, the 27-year-old decided that Manchester City would be his destination if he were to move on. Transfer talks were held and an initial £80m bid submitted before Reds bosses ultimately blocked the move, with City subsequently switching their attention to Iliman Ndiaye.
City's spending and guilty verdict
The Senegal international arrived at the Etihad from Everton in a deal worth up to £65m on transfer deadline day, with his arrival alongside Enzo Fernandez’s own £125m from Chelsea taking City’s overall summer spending spree past £450m. Elliott Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Allan and Geronimo Rulli were also snapped up to bolster Enzo Maresca’s senior ranks, while deals for Mathys Detourbet, Jeremy Monga and Pierce Charles were also concluded.
It has since emerged that City underwent such transfer dealings while already knowing the verdict of the independent commission following the Premier League’s investigation for alleged financial breaches. ESPN reported that club chiefs were initially made aware of the findings back in July. While the current league-leaders maintain their innocence, they were found guilty of 114 of 115 charges for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules and failing to co-operate with the investigation.
City have already stated their intention to appeal, while the Premier League have confirmed that sanctions will be decided at a later hearing. But after such extensive cheating between 2009 and 2018, their place in the English top-flight going forward is uncertain as possible punishments are weighed up - including possible points deductions and even relegation.
Gakpo's reaction and injury blow
That makes it all the more remarkable that they conducted such transfer activity while fully aware of the verdict. A penny for Gakpo’s thoughts now then, having nearly made their short trip to the Etihad. In hindsight, it would appear he dodged a bullet.
The forward spoke about the transfer saga earlier in the international break, admitting he had expected to join City before Liverpool changed their mind and just wanted to enjoy his football again - wherever that would have been. “Spot on, (it looked like I was going to join Man City),” he said. “Yes, (it is the life of a footballer). I cannot choose. I have to just try to do what I’m good at – and that’s playing football.
“I can be very worried about everything that could happen, or that didn’t happen, or whatever, but that wouldn’t help the situation, would it? “It’s a very long story. The summer was very tough regarding everything. I just let everything be and see how it came and it worked out in this way, which now it is what it is. “I just want to enjoy my life with my family and friends, and my life playing football with my team-mates here and at the club.”
Given his start to the season, Gakpo has certainly been enjoying his football again. Yet an ankle injury suffered while away on international duty could be about to sideline him. Reports in his homeland suggested he was set for a number of weeks out of action after being forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad. Having returned to the AXA Training Centre for further medical assessment, it remains to be seen just how long Liverpool might have to do without him.
But he is certainly at risk of missing the Reds’ clash with Manchester City on Sunday 11 October when club football resumes and Maresca’s men return to the action for the first time since the guilty verdict against them was made public. After already making Spurs rue missing out in the weeks that have followed Liverpool’s transfer U-turn, injury will perhaps stop him from doing the same to Manchester City.
Prior to the international break, the prospect of Gakpo facing his would-be suitors would have been one of the biggest talking points in the build-up to the game. But evidently, that landscape has now very much changed. With City’s players now waiting anxiously to see what sanctions the club could face - including all of their summer signings - amid claims they are worried about points deductions and relegation, it would appear that Gakpo had a lucky escape.
