Liverpool decide Cody Gakpo’s future as Manchester City transfer ends

Liverpool have ended Manchester City’s attempt to sign Cody Gakpo after rejecting an offer worth £80m for the Netherlands forward, according to The Athletic.

The decision leaves Gakpo in line to continue with Liverpool for the foreseeable future, despite Manchester City’s interest during the current summer transfer window.

Liverpool turned down an initial proposal of £75m, with a further £5m available in potential add-ons. The clubs and the player have now confirmed through direct communication that the proposed move will not go ahead.

Gakpo had been keen on a transfer to Manchester City, managed by Enzo Maresca, at the same time as Bradley Barcola was completing his move to Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Liverpool’s refusal to accept Manchester City’s terms has brought the negotiations to an end. The decision represents a change in the situation reported earlier this week, when Gakpo had reportedly decided that he wanted to join Manchester City and discussions were taking place between all parties to try to reach an agreement.

The Athletic first reported on Saturday that talks were active and that Gakpo had chosen a move to Manchester City. Those negotiations have now failed to produce a deal after Liverpool rejected the structure of the proposed package.

Manchester City are now concentrating fully on their efforts to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea. The club have maintained an interest in the midfielder throughout the current summer transfer window and have shifted their attention to that pursuit following the collapse of the Gakpo talks.

Gakpo, 27, has already started both of Liverpool’s opening Premier League matches this season. He scored in the 2-2 draw away to Newcastle United before providing an assist in Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Nottingham Forest.

His involvement at the start of the Premier League campaign had come as negotiations over his future continued, but Liverpool’s stance now means he is expected to remain part of the squad. The club’s rejection of Manchester City’s bid has settled the immediate uncertainty surrounding the Netherlands international.

Manchester City’s interest in Gakpo had appeared to offer the player an opportunity to leave Liverpool during the summer, but the proposed transfer depended on the clubs reaching an agreement over both the guaranteed fee and the additional payments. Liverpool’s decision not to accept the £75m offer plus £5m in add-ons has prevented the move from progressing.

The focus at Manchester City will now be on Enzo Fernandez, while Gakpo remains with Liverpool after the two clubs confirmed that the transfer discussions had been cancelled.