Cody Gakpo’s move to Manchester City appears to be off.
BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel reports the proposed £80 million move from Liverpool for the Netherlands winger is set to collapse with the Reds, thus far, falling to secure a replacement ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline day.
Liverpool had been intent to sign of Brighton’s Yakuba Minteh or Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace, but negotiations have proved to be fruitless as the deadline nears. With no suitable cover to arrive, Gakpo will likely remain at Anfield.
With Gakpo’s availability coming into question, City has turned its attention to Iliman Ndiaye, potentially scuppering a different deal. On Sunday, it appeared the French-born Senegal winger would join Tottenham Hotspur with Richarlison going the other way in a return to Everton. By early Monday word emerged that the Brazil winger had yet to agree to personal terms with the Toffees, opening the door for City to engage on Ndiaye.
Gakpo, 27, is in his fifth season with the Liverpool. He has 33 goals in 129 league appearances, including a goal in the team’s season-opening 2-2 draw with Newcastle last week.
Liverpool did complete one transfer on Monday with the official arrival of France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for £123 million after a protracted negotiation.
