Cody Gakpo has reportedly decided that he wants to join Manchester City, with talks now taking place between the two clubs.
David Ornstein of The Athletic has delivered the bombshell news, reporting that the 27-year-old faced a three-way decision following Liverpool’s agreement to sign Bradley Barcola.
His options were to remain at Liverpool, join Tottenham Hotspur or move to Manchester City.
Gakpo has chosen City.
And now the clubs are working to try to reach an agreement.
Barcola changes everything
There is a clear reason why Gakpo’s future has suddenly become uncertain.
Liverpool have just completed an agreement to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to around £123 million.
Barcola predominantly operates from the left, which is also Gakpo’s preferred position.
Suddenly, the competition for places has become even greater.
Gakpo has started the season well and produced another important contribution against Nottingham Forest, creating Alexander Isak’s equaliser in the 2-2 draw.
Yet Liverpool’s decision-makers appear to believe they can afford to let him leave if they can strengthen the squad elsewhere.
Gakpo chooses Manchester City
The most surprising part of this story is undoubtedly the destination.
Manchester City.
Gakpo has apparently decided that Enzo Maresca’s side is where he wants to continue his career.
It would be an incredibly strange sight for Liverpool supporters to see Gakpo wearing a City shirt.
He has been an important player for Liverpool since arriving from PSV and has produced plenty of memorable moments.
But with Barcola arriving, his pathway to regular football may have become more complicated.
Liverpool must get this right
If Liverpool are going to allow Gakpo to join one of their biggest domestic rivals, they have to make absolutely certain they are getting the right deal.
This cannot simply be about getting a transfer fee and moving on.
Liverpool would be strengthening Manchester City while weakening their own squad.
That’s the part that makes this particularly uncomfortable.
Gakpo is versatile.
He can play on either wing.
He can operate centrally.
He can score goals.
He can create.
And he’s already proven that he can perform in the Premier League.
Replacing all of that isn’t easy.
Liverpool reportedly want a replacement
Liverpool’s position has been that Gakpo would only be allowed to leave if suitable attacking replacements are found.
That makes the next few days absolutely fascinating.
The Reds have already signed Barcola.
But they have continued to explore other attacking options, with Ismaïla Sarr and Yankuba Minteh among the names linked with a move.
The club have also looked at other young wingers.
If Gakpo leaves, Liverpool cannot afford to simply assume that Barcola is enough.
They need depth.
They need options.
And they need players capable of handling what could be a gruelling season.
I would be disappointed to see him go
Personally, I would be very disappointed if Gakpo leaves.
Not because I think Liverpool cannot replace him.
But because I think Gakpo is a very good squad player to have.
He doesn’t have to start every week.
He can come into games from the bench.
He can play against different types of opponents.
He can give Barcola a rest.
And, as we saw against Forest, he can produce moments of quality even when Liverpool aren’t playing particularly well.
Losing that depth immediately after Mohamed Salah’s departure would be a big gamble.
And now the pressure is on Liverpool
There is still no agreement between Liverpool and Manchester City.
Gakpo has made his preference known, but the clubs still have to negotiate a transfer.
That means Liverpool still have a decision to make.
Do they stand firm and keep Gakpo?
Or do they accept that the player wants to leave and use the money to strengthen elsewhere?
If they choose the latter, they absolutely must get their replacement right.
Because selling a player of Gakpo’s quality to Manchester City and then failing to replace him would be a huge mistake.
Barcola in. Gakpo out?
This could be one of the biggest twists of Liverpool’s transfer window.
A few days ago, supporters were celebrating the arrival of Bradley Barcola.
Now we’re potentially looking at Gakpo heading in the opposite direction.
And not just anywhere.
Manchester City.
I can understand why Gakpo would be attracted by the opportunity.
But from Liverpool’s perspective, this is about much more than one player’s decision.
It’s about squad depth.
It’s about strengthening a rival.
And it’s about whether Liverpool can afford to lose another experienced attacker.
If Gakpo does leave, Liverpool have to replace him.
And they have very little time to do it.
The transfer window is closing.
The clock is ticking.
And this story could get very interesting very quickly.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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