Man City's proposed £80m bid for Cody Gakpo nearing collapse

Manchester City's proposed £80m move for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is close to collapsing after talks between the two clubs as Liverpool work under a Tuesday transfer deadline. City had opened negotiations with Liverpool over the Netherlands international but the deal has stalled amid Liverpool's search for a replacement.

Gakpo has scored 51 goals in all competitions for Liverpool since joining from PSV in 2023, and Liverpool have indicated they would only sell the 27-year-old if they could secure a like-for-like signing. On Monday Liverpool completed the signing of France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain for a fee worth up to £123m, but the club would still want another attacking player if Gakpo were to leave.

Liverpool had targeted Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr as potential recruits, but the valuations of both players have proved problematic. Those valuation issues have prevented Liverpool from closing on an immediate replacement and complicated their negotiations with Manchester City over Gakpo.

With Liverpool yet to land an additional winger, the club are now expected to keep Gakpo unless they can revive a deal for a new attacking signing before Tuesday's deadline. The retention expectation hinges on Liverpool completing a fresh transfer before the window closes.

Manchester City have an ongoing interest in Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and could now pivot to the 26-year-old after the latest Gakpo developments. Ndiaye had been expected to join Tottenham, but City's continued interest is set to see the Etihad club progress with a possible move for the Senegal international.

Unless Liverpool can finalise a signing to replace Gakpo before the transfer deadline on Tuesday, the forward is likely to remain at Anfield and City may advance their interest in Ndiaye as an alternative target.