Online Reporter
SunSport last week revealed Enzo Maresca’s side had entered the race for the Dutch forward. Fears he might be heading to Spurs saw City identify Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye as an alternative. But Gakpo, 27, wants an Etihad move. And City chiefs are no in talks with the bitter Premier League rivals over a stunning £85million deal.
Gakpo, who signed for Liverpool for £35m from PSV in 2023, only signed a new five-year Kop deal last summer.
But he struggled for form in the Reds’ horror campaign last term and new boss Andoni Iraola has spent the summer trying to replace him.
And he now has his man in £123m Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain who is due on Merseyside this weekend for a medical. Gakpo was open to staying at Anfield having started the season well with a goal and assist in the opening two games. Big-spending Tottenham were eyeing up a move. But, now City have formalised their interest, Gakpo appears to have chosen to head to the Etihad instead.
Gakpo featured in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
The Dutchman picked up an assist as he set up Alexander Isak for their first equaliser of the match. He also scored in Liverpool’s first match of the Premier League season, which also ended in a 2-2 draw but against Newcastle.
The forward featured in 52 games last term, scoring nine goals and assisting six more.
Barcola’s arrival at Anfield will not be the end of Liverpool’s spending this summer.
The Reds are still expected to move for ANOTHER winger to fill the gap left by Mo Salah on the right wing.
Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace‘s Ismaila Sarr are among their options.
The Seagulls have already rejected bids worth up to £60m for Minteh, who has a £80m price tag.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler was asked about Liverpool’s interest in the Gambian.
He said: “Rumours, rumours. Let’s see what happens. “It’s important for players to understand what they have here at this club.
“How the fans are connected, how we are working together. It’s difficult to find a similar environment or better environment for potential young players. If you ask me if I’ll try to convince him to stay, yes, I try to convince him to stay. But can I control everything? No, I can’t control everything.
“Let’s see, let’s see (if we can keep him). From my perspective, Minteh, he’s a Brighton player, he needs to commit to this club.
“Because he knows that these rumours only come because he benefits from everything here.
“With Minteh, we were successful as a team; that brings attention to him, so let’s see what happens. Sarr is believed to be the cheaper option of the two, despite the Eagles selling Daniel Munoz to Nottingham Forest for £22m —Sun.
