City's late-window business takes shape
With the transfer window slamming shut at 23:00 BST on Tuesday 1 September, Manchester City's shopping list is far from complete. At least one more midfielder and another attacking option are still required, and the club's answer to the latter appears to be Liverpool's Cody Gakpo.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, City have opened talks with Liverpool over the Dutch international, who has made clear his desire to move to the Etihad. Fabrizio Romano adds that a package worth £85 million is being prepared.
It is a remarkable turn of events. Not long ago, a deal for Gakpo looked dead in the water — Liverpool's asking price seemed prohibitive, and City appeared unlikely to meet such demands. Now the situation has flipped entirely, with the Blues pressing ahead at pace.
What Gakpo would bring
Gakpo's appeal is obvious. He is a proven Premier League performer, with 51 goals and 24 assists in 182 appearances for Liverpool, and he was a key figure in their 2024-25 title-winning squad. That kind of experience is exactly what Maresca's squad is crying out for.
Versatility is another string to his bow. Comfortable on either wing or through the middle, he offers Maresca the kind of flexible attacking option that can slot into multiple systems. That flexibility, allied to his pedigree, would raise the ceiling of the squad.
The £85 million price tag says plenty about the current market for wingers — proven options are thin on the ground, and clubs are paying a premium for them.
Competition and consequences
Gakpo's arrival would also sharpen the edge of City's existing wide men. The prospect of genuine competition for starting spots is precisely what this side needs, with players knowing they must perform to keep their place.
His move is not yet done, however. Personal terms are agreed, but the deal hinges on Liverpool securing a replacement before the deadline. Whether that happens in the next few days remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: City have made their move. After Omar Marmoush's departure, the need for attacking reinforcement is pressing, and Gakpo looks like the man to fill that void.