Liverpool star Cody Gakpo is still facing an uncertain future with the club, despite just one day remaining in the summer transfer window, as links persist over a switch to Manchester City.
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC
Cody Gakpo is reportedly set to stay at Liverpool after all(Image: (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))
Cody Gakpo's potential move to Manchester City has been called off, according to reports, as the Liverpool star looks set to stay at the club this summer.
Reports claim that an exit for the Netherlands international won't happen, with it appearing difficult for the Reds to find a replacement for him in the final days of the summer transfer market.
It was claimed that Gakpo was lined up for a $115 million switch to Man City, after the winger picked a move there instead of going to Premier League rival Tottenham.
However, that was always contingent on Liverpool finding a replacement in the forward line, which has been difficult in the final few days of the market, ending with a rejected offer for the forward.
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The signing of Bradley Barcola could help replace Gakpo positionally, considering that both players prefer to play on the left flank, but the team will still be light on numbers in the forward areas with an exit for the winger.
That means any arrival will need to replace him in terms of depth, and possibly Premier League experience, but they will most likely feature on the right to help bring balance to the overall roster of players.
Liverpool has been trying for a right-winger since Mohamed Salah's exit, but there has largely been failure and rejection in trying to find the right option so far.
Yan Diomande turned down a move early in the window, while recent rejected bids for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr have complicated the team's chase for a new option in the final days of the market.
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo has been linked with Manchester City(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
In all, it has meant that Gakpo hasn't been able to make his move to Man City, while Liverpool hasn't been able to add another right-winger to the forward line before the window slams shut.
It leaves Andoni Iraola juggling his options to see who he can get the best out of on either side, with the manager opting to use Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz on the right flank so far.
A difficult summer window means that the forward line isn't the only area the manager is having to find solutions for, with clear concerns over issues in midfield and at right-back heading into the campaign, which have extended into the first two games.
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There is some fortune for Liverpool in the fact that Iraola has some experience in dealing with these issues, as was seen when Bournemouth had to sell several key stars and replace them in the same window, which he handled well.
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It remains to be seen if he can recreate that at Anfield, with a clear need to get more out of the expensive acquisitions of last summer, rather than simply replacing them with new arrivals.
That puts some pressure on him to succeed, but equally on the players, who have no excuse for not performing to the level required this season.