Liverpool have reportedly made a final decision about the future of Cody Gakpo after the Dutch winger was the subject of a huge £80million bid from Manchester City
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo is set to remain at Liverpool(Image: Matt West/Shutterstock)
Liverpool have reportedly made a final decision on Cody Gakpo's short-term future after Manchester City lodged an £80million bid for the winger.
Gakpo was the subject of a huge bid from City, worth £75m up front and an extra £5m in add-ons, but Liverpool have rejected the bid and will keep the Dutchman at Anfield.
The 27-year-old was said to have agreed terms with City but the deal appears to have broken down with the Reds unable to find a suitable replacement for the versatile forward on the eve of deadline day.
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool
Cody Gakpo has been linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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It's reported that City will now turn their attention fully to making a blockbuster attempt to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez in a potential British record transfer deal.
Speculation surrounding Gakpo's possible departure grew in recent days as Liverpool closed in on the signing of Bradley Barcola from PSG in a £123m deal.
However, Gakpo will not leave Anfield to make room for the Frenchman after Barcola's transfer was confirmed on Monday. The two instead now appear set to line up on either wing.
Gakpo was signed by Liverpool from PSV in the winter of 2023 in a deal worth £44m, and has scored 51 goals in 182 games so far for the Reds.
It's a move that will be a relief to club captain Virgil van Dijk, who made it clear he wanted Liverpool to retain the services of his compatriot.
After Saturday's disappointing 2-2 draw with Forest, in which the versatile Gakpo was deployed on the right wing, Van Dijk said: "He's a quality player and I think we should keep quality players, but let's see what the next three days bring.
"It's pretty clear I want him to stay, not only because he is the quality player that he is, but also he's a friend of mine and I think he will be very important for us."