- Liverpool rejected Manchester City’s offer of £75 million plus £5m in add-ons for Cody Gakpo on Monday
- Manchester City have agreed a £65 million deal for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, with the 26-year-old expected to undergo a medical before Tuesday’s transfer deadline
- Gakpo has scored 51 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool since joining from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023
Liverpool Refuse to Let Gakpo Leave Without Replacement
Cody Gakpo is now expected to remain at Liverpool after the club turned down an approach from Manchester City for the Netherlands international.
The forward had been the subject of transfer interest throughout the summer, with both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur monitoring his situation at Anfield. City intensified talks with Liverpool over the weekend after receiving encouragement that Gakpo would be open to moving to the Etihad.
However, Liverpool were only willing to approve the 27-year-old’s departure if they could first secure an appropriate replacement. With no such deal in place, Liverpool rejected City’s bid of £75 million plus £5m in add-ons on Monday.
Liverpool explored several attacking options as they assessed the possibility of strengthening their forward line, including Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr. The club, though, were unable to agree a fee with either side.
🚨⚪️🔵 BREAKING: Manchester City agree deal to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton, here we go!
Club to club agreement in place and green light for medical tests — fee worth £65m package. Personal terms also in place.
Exclusive story revealed today, now confirmed. pic.twitter.com/cLwpBCRlYV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2026
Barcola Arrival Added Uncertainty Around Gakpo
Gakpo’s long-term position at Liverpool had come under fresh scrutiny following the arrival of left-winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite the speculation, Gakpo has started both of Liverpool’s matches this season. He has scored 51 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions since his move from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023. He also signed a new five-year contract on Merseyside in August 2025.
City Move Quickly for Ndiaye
After Liverpool refused to sanction Gakpo’s sale late in the transfer window without first bringing in a replacement, Manchester City shifted their attention to Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye.
City have agreed to sign the Senegal international in a deal worth £65 million. The agreement is structured as an initial £60 million payment, with a potential further £5 million in add-on clauses.
Tottenham had also been linked with Ndiaye, but City appear to have won the race for the 26-year-old’s signature. Ndiaye is expected to undergo a medical with a view to completing his move before Tuesday’s 2200 GMT transfer deadline.
Ndiaye joined Everton from Marseille for £15 million two years ago and scored six goals for David Moyes’s side last season.
City’s Wider Transfer Activity
City’s imminent move for Ndiaye follows their completion of the £34.2 million signing of Brazilian winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras on Monday.
If completed, Ndiaye would become City’s fourth major signing since the end of last season, following the arrivals of Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Allan.
Further activity at the Etihad Stadium remains possible. City’s former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly keen on a reunion with Blues midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who has been left out of the west Londoners’ last two matches.
