Manchester City Eye Gakpo as Transfer Deadline Approaches

Manchester City have turned their gaze towards Cody Gakpo as the transfer window ticks into its final, frantic days, with the Premier League champions sounding out the Liverpool forward’s potential availability, according to ESPN.

At this stage, it’s discreet. City have made enquiries about the Dutchman’s situation to gauge whether a late move is even realistic, but there has been no direct contact with Liverpool over a formal bid.

What is clear: they need a winger, and they need one fast.

Savinho’s move to Tottenham has ripped a hole in Pep Guardiola’s wide options, leaving City short of depth for a season that will again stretch across four fronts. The recruitment team want another forward who can step straight into high-stakes games, not just pad out the bench.

Gakpo has just offered a sharp reminder of what he brings. He started and scored in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle, underlining his ability to affect big matches from the front line. That kind of end product, in a player who can operate across the attack, is exactly what City are hunting.

Liverpool, though, are not rolling out a welcome mat.

All summer, the stance from Anfield has been firm: Gakpo is not for sale. Jürgen Klopp’s side see him as a key part of their attacking rotation and have resisted interest while they try to rebuild a forward unit capable of sustaining a title push.

But that resolve has a clear caveat. If Liverpool land the attacking reinforcements they want before the window shuts, the picture could change.

Behind the scenes, Liverpool are pushing hard. Talks are ongoing with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, as the Reds look to add another dynamic wide option. They have already tested Brighton & Hove Albion’s resistance twice for Yankuba Minteh, only to see both bids knocked back.

Should those deals finally break Liverpool’s way, City might sense their chance.

They will have to be ruthless and quick. Tottenham, already emboldened by the capture of Savinho, have shown concrete interest in Gakpo as well. Any hesitation from City would invite a direct battle with Spurs for the Dutchman’s signature in the final days of the window.

Gakpo is not the only name on City’s attacking shortlist. Chelsea winger Pedro Neto is also under consideration as the champions scan the market for wide players who fit their high-intensity, possession-heavy style. The club have already moved to strengthen the front line by agreeing a €40 million (£34m) deal for Brazilian attacker Allan from Palmeiras, a signing aimed at both the present and the future.

Yet the story of City’s window is not just about the wings. It’s about the heart of the team being ripped out.

Nico Gonzalez is close to joining Newcastle, another major departure from a midfield that has already lost Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders this summer. That exodus leaves Guardiola facing the prospect of rebuilding the core of his side in a single window – a daunting task even for a squad as deep as City’s.

The response has been aggressive.

Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi has arrived in Manchester to complete a €100m move from Lille, a statement signing aimed at anchoring the next iteration of City’s midfield. Club figures are also keeping a close eye on Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea, monitoring the Argentinian’s situation in London as the deadline creeps closer and the pressure rises on all sides.

City’s recruitment drive is now running on parallel tracks: shore up the midfield, refresh the attack, and do it all under the glare of a ticking clock.

Gakpo sits right in the middle of that equation. If Liverpool’s own business unlocks the door, and if City move with their usual ruthlessness, the Dutchman could yet be the next big name walking through the doors at the Etihad Stadium before the window slams shut.