Liverpool have turned down an £85 million offer from Manchester City for Cody Gakpo, choosing to keep the Dutch forward as the Premier League transfer window enters its final stretch.
This is the first serious direct transfer negotiation between Liverpool and Manchester City since Raheem Sterling made the controversial switch to the Etihad back in 2015.
The numbers behind Liverpool’s stance
Gakpo arrived at Anfield in January 2023 from PSV for a fee reported between £35 million and £44 million. Since then, the 27-year-old has scored 33 goals in 91 Premier League appearances, more than doubling his value in the eyes of the market.
City’s £85 million bid represents a significant premium on what Liverpool originally paid. But in a window where Liverpool are reportedly closing in on Bradley Barcola from PSG for a deal worth up to £123 million, the Reds clearly believe they can’t afford to weaken their attack without adequate cover already in place.
