Liverpool Refuse to Sell Cody Gakpo Until Attacking Replacements Are Signed

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo remains the target of fierce summer transfer interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, though the Merseyside club insists on retaining the Dutchman until securing at least two attacking replacements before the transfer window closes.

The Transfer Tug-of-War Between Tottenham and Manchester City

The race for Cody Gakpo has intensified as Manchester City express interest in signing the 27-year-old forward. Gakpo is under contract at Anfield until 2030 after putting pen to paper on a new five-year deal in August 2025, and there have not been any club-to-club talks. Despite repeated links to Tottenham Hotspur throughout the summer, he started their Premier League opening draw against Newcastle United on Sunday, scoring their first goal and first equaliser at St James’ Park with a clinical 20-yarder.

Tottenham already hold an agreement over personal terms with Gakpo, with the Dutchman attracted to the north London club because Spurs have given him assurances that he would be central to De Zerbi’s plans, with the intention of using him predominantly as a No.9. However, Manchester City have now joined the race for Gakpo as a possible replacement for Omar Marmoush, who is set to join Tottenham in the coming days. A deal would make Gakpo City’s third signing of the summer window, though The Athletic reported they have agreed a €40million deal to sign winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras, and Enzo Maresca’s side have also reached an agreement with Lille to sign midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for initial €95m.

Liverpool’s Stance and the Necessity of Attacking Reinforcements

Behind the scenes, Liverpool maintain a firm boundary regarding any potential departure. Sources indicate that the club have no intention of allowing the Netherlands international to leave this summer and could wait until the January transfer window to sell, even if the player continues to push for a move. Fabrizio Romano insisted in his update earlier on Tuesday that Liverpool are not selling the Dutchman until they get two wingers. Romano said on his YouTube channel: The meeting for Cody Gakpo took place, but do not forget that Tottenham have an agreement with the player. Tottenham agreed personal terms with Gakpo. But also do not forget that Liverpool are not selling Cody Gakpo until they get two wingers on the market. The top target is Bradley Barcola and then one more.

The Reds are looking to bring in two more wingers before the transfer deadline on September 1, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh emerging as their top two options to improve on both sides. Even if those additions arrive, correspondents argue against cashing in. With Hugo Ekitike currently out injured and out until after Christmas, Gakpo provides vital tactical versatility by being able to operate through the middle as well as off the left, allowing the Dutchman to deputise for Alexander Isak when required.

Market Value, Recent Form, and Supporter Sentiment

Gakpo’s value in the market has to be in excess of £75m following a prolific 2024-25 Premier League title-winning season where he scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 49 appearances. Although he struggled for form after a relatively strong start to 2025-26, scoring only three times in the league since the turn of the year while featuring in every fixture and regularly starting, he netted three times in four appearances at this summer’s World Cup as his nation exited in the last-32 stage with defeat to Morocco on penalties. He made himself available for selection just days after his partner, Noa, revealed they lost their child during pregnancy.

How Cody Gakpo would fit into Man City’s system if he left Liverpool for PL rivals

Liverpool Refuse to Sell Cody Gakpo Until Attacking Replacements Are Signed — Photo: The New York Times

Reflecting on the broader landscape of the transfer window, Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee noted that while this one probably makes sense as a Haaland back-up — Gakpo is Premier League proven, has a good goals record and is a physical presence — it is fair to say that news of City’s interest has not been warmly received by many supporters online. Meanwhile, Liverpool sources point to the weekend as further evidence of just how highly Andoni Iraola rates Gakpo, with the Spaniard impressed by his attitude and having now made it clear he wants to keep the Dutchman around irrespective of who else the Reds sign before the window slams shut, as Ian Doyle wrote that Gakpo was easily Liverpool’s most potent attacker and looks anything but a player who would welcome a move away.