Liverpool Reject £80m Manchester City Bid for Cody Gakpo

Liverpool have blocked Cody Gakpo’s move to Manchester City after rejecting a £75 million bid plus £5m in add-ons on Monday.

Liverpool rejected a formal transfer bid of £75 million plus £5 million in performance-related add-ons from Manchester City on Monday for forward Cody Gakpo. The 27-year-old Netherlands international remains at Anfield despite City intensifying discussions over the weekend following indications that the player was open to a move to the Etihad Stadium. Gakpo, who joined the Merseyside club from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, has recorded 51 goals in 182 appearances across all competitions during his tenure. This specific valuation failed to meet the internal assessment set by the recruitment team, leading to an immediate dismissal of the proposal.

Key details

Liverpool’s decision to decline the £80m package was driven by their inability to secure a viable successor in the attacking line. The club explored acquisitions for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr to bolster their forward options. However, negotiations for both players stalled as Liverpool could not reach an agreement on transfer fees with either Premier League rival. Consequently, the club was unwilling to sanction the exit of the Dutch attacker without a confirmed arrival to fill the void. The lack of depth in the wide positions meant that losing a proven goalscorer would have left the squad vulnerable for the first half of the season.

Speculation regarding Gakpo’s departure persisted throughout the summer window, with Tottenham Hotspur also expressing interest in his services. His position in the squad faced fresh scrutiny following the signing of left-winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain. That deal involved a guaranteed fee of £106 million, with potential add-ons that could see the total expenditure rise by an additional £17 million. Despite this significant investment in the frontline, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has publicly advocated for the club to retain Gakpo, citing his tactical flexibility and importance to the dressing room culture. The arrival of Barcola was intended to complement the existing attack rather than facilitate a fire sale of established starters.

Latest developments

Cody Gakpo is currently tied to a long-term deal at Anfield, having signed a new five-year contract in August 2025. This extension followed two and a half years of consistent production after his initial move from the Eredivisie. While Manchester City received encouragement regarding the player's interest in joining their ranks, the lack of a replacement forced Liverpool to maintain their stance as the transfer deadline approached. The forward is now expected to remain part of the squad for the upcoming campaign under the terms of his existing agreement, which keeps him under club control for the foreseeable future. The hierarchy remains firm that no further bids will be entertained unless a world-record fee is presented.

The Dutch international's statistics highlight his reliability, maintaining a scoring rate that has seen him become a fixture in the starting eleven. During the previous campaign, his contributions were pivotal in securing Champions League qualification, a factor that weighed heavily on the board's refusal to sell to a direct title competitor. Manchester City had identified Gakpo as a primary target to replace outgoing personnel, yet they must now pivot to alternative options before the window shuts. The £75m base offer was deemed insufficient given the current market inflation and the player's peak age profile.

Internal reports suggest that the player had already discussed personal terms with the reigning champions, but Liverpool's refusal to budge on the valuation ended those talks abruptly. The recruitment department at Anfield continues to monitor the market for future windows, but for the immediate term, the offensive unit remains unchanged. The failed pursuit by Pep Guardiola's side marks the third time this summer that a high-profile exit has been blocked by the Liverpool executive team. With the 2025 contract extension providing significant leverage, the club felt no financial pressure to liquidate one of their most consistent performers. The focus now shifts to integrating Barcola alongside Gakpo to form a revamped attacking trident.