Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has decided that Manchester City is his preferred destination if he leaves Anfield this summer, with the two Premier League clubs now discussing the terms of a potential transfer before the window closes.
The 27-year-old Netherlands international has reportedly rejected the possibility of joining Tottenham Hotspur and instead wants to move to the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City have emerged as the leading option during the final days of the transfer window.
Manchester City have made contact with Liverpool regarding a possible deal, while discussions between the clubs are continuing as they attempt to establish an agreement for Gakpo, whose potential departure has become one of the most significant transfer developments ahead of Tuesday's deadline.
The reported interest comes shortly after Liverpool reached an agreement to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola in a deal that could ultimately be worth as much as £123 million, giving the Merseyside club additional attacking depth but also creating uncertainty over Gakpo's role within the squad.
Liverpool are not expected to approve Gakpo's departure without securing another attacking player first, with the club continuing to explore options in the final days of the transfer window as they assess how best to maintain sufficient depth across the forward positions.
Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr have been identified as players Liverpool are interested in, while the club must also consider the fitness situation surrounding its current attacking options before making a final decision on Gakpo's future.
Gakpo has established himself as a versatile attacking player since joining Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven, contributing across several positions and becoming an important part of the team's attacking rotation despite experiencing an inconsistent spell during the previous Premier League campaign.
The Dutch forward made a strong start to Liverpool's 2024-25 title-winning season, scoring 18 goals and producing seven assists in 49 appearances before agreeing to a new five-year contract with the club in August 2025.
His form declined during the second half of the following league campaign, however, with Gakpo scoring only three Premier League goals after the beginning of the calendar year despite appearing in every league fixture and frequently being selected in the starting lineup.
Gakpo has nevertheless remained productive on the international stage, scoring three goals in four appearances for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup before the team was eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the last-32 stage of the tournament.
His Liverpool career began after the club agreed to sign him from PSV Eindhoven in December 2022 for an initial fee reported at £37 million, with the overall cost potentially reaching £44 million if performance-related additions were triggered.
The forward quickly made an impression at Anfield, scoring seven goals in 21 Premier League appearances during the second half of his debut season, and he has since accumulated 50 goals and 23 assists across 180 appearances for Liverpool.
Manchester City's pursuit comes after the club lost forwards Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham during the summer, while City have also agreed a deal worth €40 million for Palmeiras winger Allan Elias as manager Pep Guardiola continues to reshape his attacking options.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had previously declined to guarantee that Gakpo would remain at the club, leaving the door open for a late transfer as Liverpool weigh the financial benefits of a major sale against the sporting consequences of losing an established Premier League attacker.
A deal worth around £85 million has been discussed, according to reports surrounding the negotiations, which would represent a substantial increase on the fee Liverpool paid PSV Eindhoven for Gakpo and could provide significant funds for further squad investment.
However, Liverpool face a difficult decision because their attacking depth has already been affected by injuries, including Hugo Ekitike's Achilles problem that is expected to keep him out until 2027, while Alexander Isak has also experienced fitness concerns.
Gakpo also started Liverpool's latest Premier League match against Nottingham Forest and supplied the assist for Alexander Isak in a 2-2 draw at Anfield, adding further context to the debate over whether Liverpool can afford to lose him so close to the transfer deadline.
With Manchester City pushing forward and Gakpo reportedly determined to make the move, Liverpool now face a race against time to secure a replacement before deciding whether to authorize one of the most notable Premier League transfers of the closing days of the summer window.