Manchester City line up record-breaking move for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo

Manchester City are preparing a potential €100m bid for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo after reportedly reaching an agreement on personal terms with the Netherlands international’s representatives.

The Premier League club have made an excellent start to the season but are not believed to be satisfied with their current squad and remain eager to strengthen before the transfer window closes.

According to Mundo Deportivo, reports from the Netherlands indicate that Manchester City are in talks over a deal for the 27-year-old forward. The club is said to be close to submitting an offer worth €100m to Liverpool.

If the transfer goes through for that fee, Gakpo would immediately become the most expensive Dutch player in football history.

That record currently belongs to Frenkie de Jong, who moved from Ajax to Barcelona in 2019 for €75m, with a further €11m potentially payable in add-ons.

Manchester City are yet to formally complete the move, however, and Liverpool have not given permission for Gakpo to leave. The club are reportedly unwilling to sanction the transfer until they have secured an appropriate replacement for the former PSV Eindhoven attacker.

Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain is understood to be nearing a move to Liverpool, although the Merseyside club are also searching for another high-quality winger.

Gakpo joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven and has become an important attacking option for the club. His potential departure would therefore leave Liverpool needing to reinforce their forward line before allowing the Netherlands international to move to a direct Premier League rival.

There has been no indication that Liverpool have accepted Manchester City’s proposed terms, with the search for replacements remaining a key part of the negotiations. The reported personal agreement between Manchester City and Gakpo’s representatives could nevertheless help the clubs move discussions forward if Liverpool identify suitable attacking reinforcements.

A transfer at €100m would represent a landmark deal for Dutch football and would surpass the fee Barcelona paid Ajax for De Jong seven years ago. It would also make Gakpo one of the most expensive players to move between Premier League clubs.

The reports add to speculation that Manchester City are continuing to assess their options despite their impressive start to the campaign. Their interest in Gakpo suggests they are prepared to pursue a major addition rather than simply rely on the squad already available to manager Pep Guardiola.

The situation remains dependent on Liverpool finding a replacement, with Barcola and another unnamed winger reportedly being considered as part of the club’s planning.

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