Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo has stayed at the club, despite extensive talks over a potential exit in the summer transfer window, with the forward heavily linked to Manchester City and Tottenham
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC
Cody Gakpo has held talks with Liverpool's owners(Image: (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images))
Cody Gakpo has held "clear the air" talks with Liverpool's owners at the end of the summer transfer window, following a failed exit from the club in recent days.
That's according to Dutch outlet ED, which claims that the transfer falling through came as a "surprise" to those involved, with full expectation that the winger would leave Anfield before the window slammed shut.
There were heavy links with a move to Tottenham, with Gakpo being floated as an option to strengthen Roberto De Zerbi's forward line, but only if Liverpool could find a suitable replacement in time. A twist in the tale followed, as Manchester City entered the race and seemingly became the Netherlands international's preferred destination, fast tracking his potential move to the Premier League rival in the final few days.
Once again, the move was all contingent on a replacement. Liverpool tried but ultimately failed to find that option, as bids were rejected for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr by their respective clubs.
As a result, the Reds rejected an offer worth roughly $110 million for Gakpo, confirming that he would be staying with the club until at least the January transfer window.
That seemingly dashed the possibility of an exit, one that the player will need to put aside before refocusing on the task at hand with a Liverpool side that needs his performances to be consistent moving forward.
The report claims that talks between the player and the owners were held to do exactly that, as attention quickly turns to his involvement in the side's upcoming clash with Ipswich Town on Friday night.
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool FC during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC
Cody Gakpo has stayed at Liverpool this summer(Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))
There is a chance that Gakpo could start on the left flank, even with the arrival of Bradley Barcola, as the winger is fit and available to start for the match compared to the new signing, who lacks any preseason preparation.
The 27-year-old has already made an impression so far under Andoni Iraola, with a goal and assist to his name in his first two appearances of the Premier League season.
"He is playing very well for us," Iraola said last week when asked about the future of the star.
"He has been very good since he came back from the World Cup and after the holidays, a good attitude and I hope we can keep him at that level because he has been very influential."
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Iraola will be hoping that Gakpo can pick up where he left off, with some important games coming up and an opportunity to land a first win of the season.
What follows for Gakpo is unclear, with the January transfer window offering another potential exit route, but for now he will be a player Liverpool will depend on.