Man City and Enzo Maresca are supposedly 'interested' in signing Cody Gakpo, with the Liverpool forward being linked with exit again after continued interest from Tottenham
Cody Gakpo during Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo during Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool.(Image: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Manchester City has reportedly joined Tottenham in holding an interest in signing the Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo this summer, with the Reds currently in no position to lose any forward options.
Gakpo started, scored, and was one of Liverpool's standout performers on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, netting a great goal from outside the penalty area against Newcastle at St James' Park.
But speculation has persisted for a while that he might be on the way out of the exit door at Anfield before the September 1 transfer deadline. High-spending Spurs have been keen on him for some time.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City has sounded out Gakpo's representatives to assess if he would be open to moving to the Etihad Stadium.
The last player to move between the two Premier League giants was Raheem Sterling in 2015, though Luis Diaz was of interest to Manchester City a year before he left to sign for Bayern Munich.
Liverpool is currently trying to do a deal for the PSG forward Bradley Barcola. It has also seen an $82 million (£60 million) bid turned down for the Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh.
Cody Gakpo cekebrates scoring for Liverpool against Newcastle.
Cody Gakpo cekebrates scoring for Liverpool against Newcastle.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Earlier in the summer, Liverpool.com reported that the Reds were considering PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye as well, with the 18-year-old seeking more game time than he is getting under Luis Enrique.
Should Liverpool bring in two forwards, perhaps it could then contemplate the sale of Gakpo. Even then, though, the Dutchman could be a very useful option to deputize for Alexander Isak at number nine while Hugo Ekitike is injured.
Indeed, Andoni Iraola was asked about the former PSV man doing just that during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"I think Cody can play as a number nine," Iraola explained. "In pre-season, we haven’t tried it because we don’t have enough wingers, probably.
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"He understands what we need from him in his preferred position as a left winger, but I have been talking to him about his minutes as a nine.
"Not only in the past season, he has done it before, and in certain situations, I think he can could help us there in the nine position, yes."
Liverpool.com says: Manchester City is very light in terms of attacking numbers, or at least will be should Omar Marmoush and Savinho both depart. On that basis, bringing in Gakpo could make sense as a proven option.
For Liverpool, though, selling to Spurs rather than a potential rival would be preferential. It would also take an enormous amount of money for it to be worthwhile.