Manchester City make move for Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo amid Tottenham interest

Cody Gakpo has decided he wants to join Manchester City, sidestepping interest from Tottenham Hotspur and putting Liverpool in an awkward position they haven’t faced since 2015. The last time Liverpool sold a player directly to City, it was Raheem Sterling, and that transfer still stings in certain parts of Merseyside. Gakpo, 27, has been one of Liverpool’s most productive attackers since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023. Letting him walk to a direct Premier League rival would be a tough pill for Liverpool to swallow, no matter the price tag. The transfer tug-of-war Manchester City reportedly initiated contact with Gakpo’s representatives around August 24, though no formal negotiations with Liverpool have taken place. Tottenham appeared to be further along in the process. Reports indicate Spurs had already agreed personal terms with Gakpo before City entered the picture, and Tottenham’s interest had been building since June, giving them a multi-month head start that ultimately didn’t matter once City came calling. Liverpool’s stance has been clear: they won’t sell Gakpo unless they can secure two attacking reinforcements first. The club has reportedly been making progres...