Superstar edges closer to £85m switch

Let’s be straight about what Gakpo is as a footballer at 27. He’s good. He is not elite. His 2025-26 season at Anfield produced seven Premier League goals and five assists across 36 appearances. Efficient, yes, but not the numbers of a player who regularly cracks open defences on his own.

A goal contribution rate of 0.39 per 90 minutes, combined with 122 instances of possession loss in the league, shows a forward who works within a system rather than breaking it for you. The Dutchman’s 24.14% shooting accuracy is underwhelming for a wide forward at a top-four club.

Where he genuinely stands out is physically. Being 1.93 metres tall, Gakpo wins aerial duels at a 61.5% success rate and delivers dangerous back-post crosses with real consistency. He is a structural player. That’s precisely why City want him.

What needs to happen for City to land Gakpo?

Bradley Barcola’s £123m arrival from PSG this summer permanently reshuffled Liverpool’s attacking hierarchy. Gakpo, who signed a contract extension as recently as August 2025, suddenly found his starting status under serious threat with Víctor Muñoz also competing for minutes.

Iraola’s system demands sensational linear pace from his wide forwards, and Gakpo, for all his qualities, is built as an inside target man rather than a touchline-stretching winger. The fit stopped being perfect.

For Maresca, this signing makes complete sense. City lost Omar Marmoush and Savinho to Tottenham, leaving a gaping hole in attacking depth.

Gakpo’s ability to play as a left winger, second striker, or number ten gives Maresca the functional flexibility to rotate and protect Erling Haaland without compromising the system.

He receives wide, drives diagonally into the half-space, and picks the right pass or strike. That’s exactly what Maresca’s positional play demands.

Cody Gakpo chose City over Tottenham deliberately. Trophy security matters to him at this stage.For Liverpool, selling a player they bought for £40m at £85m is strong business under current financial rules, especially with that £250,000-per-week wage coming off the books.

The risk is pure timing. If the replacement deal collapses before Tuesday night, Iraola enters a Champions League campaign with an attacking depth problem he didn’t create but will absolutely have to live with.