Liverpool rejects £85M bid from Manchester City for Cody Gakpo

Liverpool have turned down an £85 million offer from Manchester City for Cody Gakpo, choosing to keep the Dutch forward as the Premier League transfer window enters its final stretch. This is the first serious direct transfer negotiation between Liverpool and Manchester City since Raheem Sterling made the controversial switch to the Etihad back in 2015. The numbers behind Liverpool’s stance Gakpo arrived at Anfield in January 2023 from PSV for a fee reported between £35 million and £44 million. Since then, the 27-year-old has scored 33 goals in 91 Premier League appearances, more than doubling his value in the eyes of the market. City’s £85 million bid represents a significant premium on what Liverpool originally paid. But in a window where Liverpool are reportedly closing in on Bradley Barcola from PSG for a deal worth up to £123 million, the Reds clearly believe they can’t afford to weaken their attack without adequate cover already in place. Gakpo himself reportedly prefers a move to City over interest from Tottenham Hotspur, and has allegedly agreed to personal terms on a five-year contract at the Etihad. So the player’s desire isn’t the sticking point. Liverpool’s willingness ...