Manchester City have opened talks with Liverpool over Cody Gakpo, turning the Dutch forward’s future into one of the biggest stories of the final days of the transfer window.

A transfer that appeared increasingly unlikely only days ago has suddenly become a serious possibility.

Manchester City have made contact with Liverpool over a potential deal for Gakpo, according to Sky Sports, with discussions also taking place over personal terms for the Netherlands international. One source told Sky Sports that the move is increasingly developing in City's direction, although the transfer has not yet been completed.

The timing leaves Liverpool with an important decision.

The club is already on the verge of completing the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, in a deal reported at £106 million initially and potentially rising to £123 million. Liverpool have also brought in Victor Muñoz from Osasuna this summer.

That strengthening of the forward line has changed the context surrounding Gakpo's situation.

But Liverpool must still decide whether allowing an established international forward to leave so late in the window represents a sensible move.

City Suddenly Need a Winger

Manchester City's interest has emerged partly because of their own changing attacking options.

City have allowed Savio and Omar Marmoush to join Tottenham, reducing their available wide options.

The situation was particularly noticeable in City's recent Premier League match against Crystal Palace, when they did not name a recognised winger among their substitutes and used Phil Foden in a wide position despite manager Enzo Maresca acknowledging that Foden is not naturally a winger.

Jack Grealish is also attracting interest from Everton and Sunderland and was absent from the squad against Palace.

The result is a Manchester City attack that suddenly has less depth on the flanks than it had earlier in the summer.

Gakpo therefore represents an attractive solution.

He is capable of playing from the left, operating centrally and contributing goals, giving City the kind of versatility that becomes particularly valuable during a long season.

From Interest to Actual Negotiations

The latest development is significant because City's pursuit has moved beyond simple scouting or reported interest.

Earlier in August, Sky Sports reported that City were interested in Gakpo but had not yet held club-to-club talks with Liverpool. At that point, Gakpo remained under contract at Anfield until 2030.

Now, those discussions have begun.

That does not mean an agreement has been reached.

It does, however, demonstrate that City have decided the 27-year-old is a realistic target as the transfer deadline approaches.

Personal terms are also being discussed, according to Sky Sports, adding another indication that negotiations have progressed beyond an initial enquiry.

Liverpool's Complicated Position

For Liverpool, the timing could hardly be more important.

The club has already invested heavily in its attack and has reportedly agreed a major deal for Barcola.

Liverpool also started the Premier League season with Cody Gakpo still involved, including scoring in the opening-day draw at Newcastle.

Gakpo has therefore not been pushed completely out of the picture.

The question is whether the arrival of Barcola changes the club's calculations enough to make a late sale acceptable.

There is also the issue of replacing him.

Even if Liverpool decide that a transfer is financially attractive, selling an established attacker with only days remaining in the window could leave the squad short if another replacement cannot be secured.

Liverpool's recruitment team therefore has to balance two competing priorities: taking advantage of a potentially significant offer while ensuring the squad remains strong enough for the season ahead.

Why Gakpo Appeals to Manchester City

Gakpo's attraction is not difficult to understand.

The Dutch international has the physical profile and technical quality required for Premier League football, while his ability to operate in several attacking positions makes him particularly useful to a manager managing a demanding schedule.

He can provide width, attack the penalty area and contribute directly to goals.

For City, versatility may be just as important as reputation.

Their recent squad changes have left them needing additional options in wide areas, and Gakpo could provide immediate competition and depth.

The fact that he is already accustomed to English football would also remove much of the adaptation period associated with signing a player arriving from another league.

Tottenham Still Have a Role in the Story

Manchester City are not the only club to have shown interest.

Tottenham had targeted Gakpo during the transfer window before completing deals for Savio and Marmoush.

That interest helped establish Gakpo as one of the prominent forwards potentially available late in the window.

But Tottenham's recruitment has now taken them in another direction.

That leaves City in a stronger position to pursue the Liverpool forward.

The situation could therefore become one of the window's most intriguing late moves: a player wanted by Tottenham potentially ending up at one of their Premier League rivals instead.

Barcola Changes the Equation

Liverpool's impending arrival of Barcola is arguably the most important piece of the puzzle.

Reuters reported that Liverpool had finalized an agreement to sign the French winger from PSG for a package potentially worth £123 million, with £106 million guaranteed and additional performance-related payments.

That gives Liverpool another high-level attacking option.

It also provides context for why Gakpo's future is now being questioned.

However, Barcola's arrival does not automatically mean Gakpo must leave.

Liverpool still have a long season ahead and multiple competitions to contest.

Selling too much attacking depth could create a problem of its own, particularly if injuries affect the squad.

The club therefore has to determine whether the financial and sporting benefits of a Gakpo sale outweigh the risks of losing an experienced forward.

No Deal Yet

For all the excitement surrounding the story, one point remains crucial:

Cody Gakpo is still a Liverpool player.

Manchester City have opened talks.

Personal terms are being discussed.

The move is reportedly advancing in City's direction.

But there is no completed transfer at this stage.

That distinction matters, particularly with only days remaining before the transfer window closes.

A deal still requires agreement between the clubs and the necessary contractual and formal processes.

Until those are completed, Gakpo remains at Anfield.

A Transfer Story Entering Its Decisive Stage

What seemed like a straightforward question about Liverpool's attacking depth has suddenly become a much bigger transfer story.

Manchester City need wide attacking options.

Liverpool are bringing in Barcola.

Tottenham have already moved on to other targets.

And Gakpo's future has become one of the major unresolved questions of the closing days of the window.

The next few days will determine whether City can turn their interest into an agreement or whether Liverpool decide that Gakpo remains too valuable to lose.

For now, the facts are clear.

Manchester City have made their move. Liverpool have to decide whether to open the door.