Cody Gakpo Transfer Battle: Manchester City vs Tottenham

Cody Gakpo has become the latest flashpoint in a late-summer tug of war between Premier League heavyweights, with Manchester City stepping directly into a race Tottenham thought they had quietly controlled for weeks.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano revealed that City have now held face-to-face talks with the Liverpool forward’s representatives, opening formal discussions over contract figures as they explore a move before the window shuts.

“Manchester City have made direct contact and held a meeting with Cody Gakpo's agents,” Romano said on his YouTube channel, outlining how the champions have moved from admiration to action.

Spurs, though, are not arriving late to this story. They have been in the room for some time.

According to Romano, Tottenham already have a verbal agreement in place with Gakpo on personal terms, an understanding that has been in place since July. The framework of a contract is there, financially lined up and ready to go from the London club’s side if they can convince Liverpool to sell.

That is the key complication. Gakpo is not agitating to leave.

Romano stressed that the Dutch international is “very happy” at Liverpool, and the existence of a verbal agreement with Spurs does not equate to a transfer request or any form of stand-off with the Anfield hierarchy. For now, it simply means that if Liverpool do open the door, Tottenham are prepared to walk straight through it.

City’s arrival changes the temperature. The champions have also met with Gakpo’s camp and started to discuss the numbers, signalling they are ready to go head-to-head with Spurs for his signature. A straight fight between Ange Postecoglou’s project and Pep Guardiola’s winning machine is now firmly on the table.

Yet the decisive voice in all of this still belongs to Liverpool.

Romano was clear: the club will not approve Gakpo’s departure in the final days of the window unless they first secure two new wingers. No replacements, no green light. It is a hard condition, not a negotiating flourish.

Liverpool’s recruitment plan is already in motion. Bradley Barcola has been identified as the top target out wide, with Romano describing that deal as “still fully on.” The Frenchman sits at the top of the list, but he is not the only name in play.

Talks are also ongoing over Iyenoma Mudryk. Romano reported that Liverpool have discussed two offers for the winger and remain in contact with his agent, while keeping alternative options alive in the background in case negotiations stall.

So the picture is clear but tense: Tottenham have the personal terms lined up, Manchester City have entered the race with direct talks, and Gakpo remains content at Liverpool. Everything now hinges on whether the Reds can land Barcola and another winger in time.

If they do, one of the most intriguing attacking moves of the summer could explode into life. If they don’t, Gakpo stays put and two of England’s biggest clubs are left to look elsewhere in the final, frantic days of the window.