Liverpool stunned as Man City target double deal amid Cody Gakpo interest

28 Aug 2026 18:01 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

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Amid their ongoing interest in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, Manchester City have also begun exploring a deal for Alexis Mac Allister.

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The Cityzens have already had a massive summer transfer window, but their business is far from concluded. Despite already spending north of €230 million on Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, Enzo Maresca wants another midfielder.

His top target is his former Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez, and there is growing confidence that a deal can be agreed before the deadline, despite the cost of the operation and the tense relationship between the two clubs.

Current ETV

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€83.3M - €101.8M

Fernandez is likely to cost north of €140 million after City let a Chelsea-imposed deadline by which to make an offer elapse two weeks ago. A deal is nevertheless believed to still be possible, with the Argentine keen on the move.

The midfielder was omitted from Xabi Alonso's squad for Thursday's Carabao Cup clash with Luton in a clear sign that there could yet be movement. City are expected to make a formal bid shortly.

City exlore Mac Allister deal

Despite the Alvarez optimism, City are not putting all their eggs in one basket. They are also known admirers of Alex Scott and Adam Wharton, though neither Bournemouth nor Crystal Palace want to sell.

Manu Kone is also appreciated, with AS Roma potentially more open to discussing business, even if they are said to be growing in confidence that the France international will stay.

Now, a fourth option has emerged. According to Gianluca di Marzio, City have explored the conditions of a possible deal for Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as they await a breakthrough in the Fernandez saga.

The Argentina international has had a somewhat tumultuous summer. Not only did he have to deal with the World Cup, but there were also major question marks over his future after a very disappointing season.

Links with Real Madrid and Man Utd came to nothing, and for now at least, it seems that this City rumour will also not go anywhere. Fabrizio Romano understands that Mac Allister was proposed by intermediaries rather than it being a case of the Etihad side actively pursuing a deal.

"The reality is that some intermediaries offered Man City the possibility to consider a move for Mac Allister," Romano said on his YouTube channel. "So it was suggested by intermediaries as a potential move to Man City, rather than being an official bid or something like that.

"It’s something that happens sometimes at top clubs when it’s very clear that a top club needs to sign in a position and there’s just a few days to go in the transfer window."

For now, City's clear priority remains Fernandez.