Manchester City have opened talks with Liverpool over a late move for Cody Gakpo as the Premier League transfer deadline approaches. The interest has emerged quickly, with Sky Sports reporting that City’s discussions with Liverpool are advancing and that the player is attracting attention from Tottenham Hotspur as well.,The move would be one of the more surprising deals of the window.
Liverpool are reluctant to lose Gakpo, particularly so late in the window, but their position could change after completing a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola according to reports. Reports suggest Gakpo could command a fee of about £85 million. For Manchester City, however, the obvious question is: why Gakpo?
What does Gakpo actually add to Man City?
On the surface, City already have plenty of attacking options. Jérémy Doku and Antoine Semenyo offer pace and direct running. Rayan Cherki has started the new season impressively as a creative wide player. Erling Haaland remains the main striker, while Phil Foden can operate across the attacking line. Off the bench, they have Jack Grealish, who cannot be ruled out entirely even though his influence has noticeably declined. City have also invested heavily in attacking players in recent windows.
Gakpo, meanwhile, offers something different, which is versatility and presence without sacrificing goals. The Dutchman can play from the left, operate centrally (in Foden’s role) and fill in as a No. 9. That flexibility is particularly valuable for a team trying to rotate its forwards across a long season. His numbers also make the interest easier to understand. Gakpo produced seven goals and five assists in 36 Premier League appearances last season. He has also already contributed a goal and an assist in the opening matches of the 2026/27 campaign for Liverpool.
Gakpo is not just another winger
The move could be City’s way of replacing Savio and Omar Marmoush, who have both left the club this summer. However, it is clear that City do not necessarily need another traditional winger. They need players who can operate in different attacking structures and maintain their threat when injuries, form or tactical changes force adjustments.
Gakpo is not as explosive as Doku or Semenyo and is unlikely to offer the same creative flair as Cherki. His value lies elsewhere: intelligent movement, physical presence, finishing and the ability to move between positions, almost like a second Haaland who can also play wide. His ability to occupy defenders from the left, move inside and attack the penalty area, or give City another option through the middle will be useful.
The real reason City want him
The timing may be the biggest clue. City have already allowed Savio and Marmoush to leave for Spurs, while Jack Grealish is also attracting interest. Gakpo therefore looks less like an unnecessary luxury and more like an attempt to restore attacking depth. The £85 million price tag would still make the deal difficult to justify purely as squad insurance, but if City believe Gakpo can become a regular contributor across multiple positions, the logic becomes clearer. City already have attackers, but they do not have an attacker quite like Gakpo.