Gakpo to swap Liverpool for Man City: A surprise deal that has divided opinion

Analysis

Matthew Judge | Editor

Having been linked with a move away all summer, Cody Gakpo is now poised to leave Liverpool as talks continue with Manchester City over a deal.

The 27-year-old had options to stay at Liverpool or join Tottenham Hotspur but he has made Man City his preferred destination, according to David Ornstein.

STATS

Cody Gakpo

F, M (L)

Liverpool

Cody Gakpo

F, M (L)

Liverpool

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 52

  Games

• 9

  Goals

• 7

  Assists

View all stats

With negotiations ongoing between Liverpool and City over a €99.3million (£85m) package, the potential deal has divided opinion across the board.

Here, FootballTransfers takes a quick look at what all parties stand to gain from the transfer as it edges closer to completion.

Liverpool: Barcola fee almost recouped - but is it a risk?

Should both deals go ahead, Liverpool will receive more than half their money back for Bradley Barcola by offloading Gakpo to City.

There will be a €46m (£39.3m) difference in costs after the Reds agreed a deal with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Barcola for a fee rising to €145m (£124m).

In the event that Gakpo departs, Liverpool can use the funds generated from his sale to finally sign a right-sided replacement for the legendary Mohamed Salah.

Andoni Iraola’s side have expressed their interest in Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr - though both moves have stalled.

However, selling Gakpo to City does carry some risks, notably Liverpool strengthening one of their rivals by going ahead with the deal.

And say Liverpool managed to sign Minteh, having already had two bids rejected, they would be pinning their hopes on four youngsters this season.

Gambia international Minteh (22) is one year younger than Barcola and Victor Munoz (both 23), while Rio Ngumoha has only just turned 18.

STATS

Yankuba Minteh 

F (R), M (RL)

Brighton

Yankuba Minteh 

F (R), M (RL)

Brighton

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 36

  Games

• 3

  Goals

• 4

  Assists

View all stats

However, Liverpool would argue Minteh already knows the Premier League, while Barcola has played - and sparkled - at the highest level with PSG and France.

And the same goes for Senegal international Sarr, with the 28-year-old having racked up 223 appearances in England for both Crystal Palace and Watford.

Alternatively, should Alexander Isak suffer an injury, Liverpool would suddenly find themselves short of cover if they sold Gakpo, with Hugo Ekitike currently on the sidelines.

Man City: Good value for money considering Savio sale?

Eyebrows have been raised over Gakpo’s €99m (£85m) price tag but it could prove to be good value in what has been an unpredictable summer transfer window.

While Gakpo can appear to be a one-trick pony at times, repeatedly cutting inside on his favoured right foot before shooting, shooting and shooting, his Liverpool numbers are strong.

Owing to impressive fitness levels, the Netherlands international has registered 51 goals and 24 assists in 182 games for Liverpool - having only arrived in January 2023.

And considering City managed to extract the same €99.3m (£85m) fee from Tottenham for Savio, a young man who scored just two Premier League goals in two seasons at the Etihad Stadium, Gakpo could represent good business in comparison.

There is an argument, however, that Gakpo could be about to swap one bench for another considering City possesses several players capable of playing out wide.

Enzo Maresca’s side can deploy Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Ryan McAidoo and imminent signing Allan Elias on both flanks.

However, Gakpo is somebody who can also play through the middle, which is valuable to City after they decided to loan Omar Marmoush to Tottenham.

While Gakpo is at his best when used as a winger, he can offer effective cover for Erling Haaland - something City currently lack in their squad.

Opinions divided on Gakpo leaving Liverpool for City

There was a mixed reaction on the internet when the news broke that Gakpo has chosen to join Man City - something we have decided to highlight below:

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Written by

Matthew Judge | Editor

Matthew Judge is a freelance sports writer from Liverpool, United Kingdom. He has worked for/had words published by WSL Football (WSL & WSL2), Everton Football Club, The Independent, Daily Mirror, Stats Perform, Goal and Squawka, among others.

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