Liverpool make final transfer decision on Cody Gakpo in response to £80m Man City offer

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September 1st 2026, 7:48 (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Cody Gakpo will remain a Liverpool player beyond the summer transfer window after Liverpool rejected an offer from Manchester City.The 27-year-old had reportedly opted for a move to the Etihad Stadium over long-time suitors Tottenham Hotspur (The Athletic), and it had seemed increasingly likely that he could leave Anfield if the Reds were to sign another winger after Bradley Barcola.However, as reported by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, the Dutch winger is now set to stay on Merseyside after LFC turned down a bid of up to £80m from Enzo Maresca’s side.Although Gakpo was understood to be keen on the move, all parties have had direct communication to confirm that the deal is now off, with Man City instead focusing all their efforts on trying to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea.(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustLiverpool have made the right decision on GakpoEven with Barcola now through the door, Liverpool have made the smart decision that their number 18 isn’t expendable at this late stage of the transfer window.Had the Reds accepted the £80m offer from the Etihad, they’d have made close to a twofold profit on Gakpo, who joined from PSV Eindhoven in a £44m deal at the end of 2022 (The Athletic).However, the club’s footballing needs have been prioritised over financial practicality, with the Dutchman demonstrating his importance to Andoni Iraola’s side by scoring against Newcastle recently and setting up Alexander Isak’s equaliser against Nottingham Forest last weekend.Selling an in-form player to a direct domestic rival a few hours before the transfer deadline would’ve been extremely galling for Liverpool fans, but thankfully sense has prevailed and the 27-year-old will remain with the Reds.Barring some astute last-minute deals today, it has been a rather underwhelming transfer window overall at Anfield, but it would’ve been so much worse had the club taken the money for Gakpo and left Iraola short in attack.