A three-club race with one week left
The transfer window shuts on 1 September, and the biggest attacking saga of the summer just gained a third suitor. Manchester City have entered the race to sign Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo, according to reports in the Dutch press, joining Tottenham, who remain in ongoing talks and are preparing an improved bid.
Liverpool’s position has been consistent throughout: they do not want to sell. But a bid war between two of the richest clubs in England tests every resolution, and with seven days left on the clock, the leverage is shifting toward Anfield’s boardroom, where a nine-figure valuation is now being discussed internally.
Why City want him
Gakpo, 27, is in his prime and delivers something City’s left side has lacked: a physical, two-footed wide forward who attacks the box. His 2025-26 numbers at Liverpool kept him among the most productive left-sided attackers in the Premier League, and his versatility across the front line makes him an ideal rotational weapon for a squad competing on four fronts.
For Tottenham, the appeal is similar but more urgent. They have chased Gakpo all summer and view him as the profile that upgrades their attack from dangerous to elite.
The economics
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Valuation | €40.0M – €49.0M |
| Likely fee if sold | Well above valuation |
| Buyer competition | Man City, Tottenham |
| Seller stance | Do not want to sell |
| Days left in window | 7 |
This is the classic deadline-week setup. The player’s fundamental value sits in the mid-€40Ms, but two motivated buyers with deep pockets and no time to pivot means any deal would blow past that range. Liverpool know it, and their refusal to negotiate may itself be a negotiation.
What happens next
Three scenarios, in order of probability:
- Gakpo stays at Liverpool. The default outcome. Liverpool are title contenders and have no sporting reason to sell a key attacker a week before the deadline.
- Spurs return with a statement bid. They have been the most persistent suitor and are preparing another offer. If anyone breaks Liverpool's resolve, it is them.
- City hijack it late. The wildcard. City entering now suggests internal talks have advanced, and nobody out-bids them when they decide they want a player.
AI Verdict: Hold
From a pure value standpoint, Gakpo at his current valuation is a hold. He is 27, so resale upside is limited, and any eventual fee will exceed his fundamental worth. The drama is real, but the smart money says he starts September at Anfield.
View full profile and AI-powered transfer intelligence at skouted.ai