Man City set to hijack Liverpool star

Manchester City have reportedly initiated contact with the representatives of Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo regarding a shock late-window transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

The Manchester club are eager to hijack Tottenham Hotspur's prolonged pursuit of the 27-year-old Dutch international before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Tottenham have been in active discussions for Gakpo since agreeing personal terms with the player in July but recently saw a £60 million approach swiftly rejected.

With the September 1 transfer deadline rapidly approaching, City manager Enzo Maresca has identified Gakpo as an ideal versatile replacement for the recently departed Savinho.

Gakpo has been an effective asset since joining Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, notably helping the Merseyside club capture the 2023/24 EFL Cup and the 2024/25 Premier League title; however, he could see his time at the club end amid interest from Premier League rivals.

Despite the mounting interest from two direct domestic rivals, Liverpool are not actively pushing their winger toward the Anfield exit door.

The club hierarchy are reportedly open to sanctioning a sale for a fee in the region of £70 million, but only under one strict condition.

Liverpool have made it unequivocally clear that they will not authorise Gakpo's departure until they have secured adequate attacking replacements.

To facilitate the potential exit, Liverpool are frantically working on simultaneous moves for Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, highly rated youngster Ibrahim Mbaye, and Brighton's Yankuba Minteh.

The Reds have already seen successive bids of £50 million and £60 million rejected for Minteh and are now preparing an improved £70 million offer to force a breakthrough.

Should Liverpool position themselves to sell, Gakpo will have to decide whether to prioritise a guaranteed starting role under Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham or accept a potential squad rotation role in Manchester.