Manchester City have made a transfer approach for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, joining Tottenham in the race for the Dutchman's signature. Gakpo, 27, has been tipped to leave Anfield this summer, with Spurs having already seen a bid rejected and reportedly agreeing personal terms with the player.
City enter the race for Gakpo
According to reports, City have made their opening move to secure the Dutch international and potentially beat Tottenham to a deal. Enzo Maresca's side are now competing with Spurs, who had emerged as potential buyers in recent days.
The fee Liverpool would demand for Gakpo remains unclear, though it has been suggested it would take over £70m to strike an agreement. The forward joined from PSV Eindhoven in 2023 and has scored 51 goals in 181 appearances for the Reds, including one in the opening-day draw with Newcastle at St James' Park.
Iraola's praise and City's transfer plans
Gakpo is under contract at Liverpool until 2030, and head coach Andoni Iraola has spoken highly of the forward. Speaking ahead of the trip to Newcastle, he said: "Cody is performing really well. I think he has been training very well from the first day and understanding everything we need from his position."
He added: "When you talk to him, you can feel that he understands the game and he is very smart. He has been one of our best players in the friendlies and performing very well. I cannot tell you the starting XI, the players don't know it, but he is definitely in a great spot."
If City complete a deal for Gakpo, he would become their third major signing late in the window. The club are close to finalising a move for Lille and Monaco star Ayyoub Bouaddi, while an agreement has been reached with Palmeiras for Allan Elias.
Potential Spurs business in the final week
City's pursuit of Gakpo comes as they are poised to conduct business with Tottenham in the final week of the window. Savinho and Omar Marmoush are believed to be close to a double deal worth around £140m.
Maresca said of the pair: "Omar is still here, still with us, it's a different situation to Savio and we see. Savio, since day one, asked to leave, and Omar didn't ask to leave since day one, not yet."
He added: "It's quite clear that when players want to leave for any reason, it is complicated to convince them to stay and to change. It happened with Rodri, the same is happening with Savinho. Since day one, he has been clear that he wants to leave. Now we are waiting."
