David Ornstein: Liverpool star set to stay after £80m bid is rejected | OneFootball

Cody Gakpo Staying at Liverpool After Manchester City £80m Bid Rejected

Liverpool have made their decision on Cody Gakpo, and it is a significant one. Despite Manchester City putting forward an offer worth up to £80m, the Anfield club have rejected it and shut the door on the move. According to David Ornstein for The Athletic, direct contact between all parties has now confirmed the transfer is off.

That matters, because this was not a speculative enquiry. City’s proposal was serious, £75m up front and £5m in add-ons, and Gakpo “had been keen to make the move” to Enzo Maresca’s side. Liverpool still said no. In modern football, that usually tells you one thing, the selling club either do not need the money, or do not believe they can replace the player properly before the window closes. Possibly both.

Gakpo Transfer Stance Sends Clear Liverpool Message

The timing is interesting. Liverpool have already signed Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth £106m plus add-ons that could rise by another £17m. On the surface, that looked like a move that could have opened the exit door for Gakpo. Instead, Liverpool have chosen squad strength over pure asset management.

Virgil van Dijk’s comments after the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest were revealing. “He’s a quality player. I think we should keep quality players,” he said. “Let’s see what the next few days bring. I want him to stay not only because he’s a quality player but also because he’s a friend of mine. He’s very important for us.”

That is as direct as it gets. No vague dressing room diplomacy, no non-answer. Liverpool’s captain made it clear that Gakpo still matters.

Photo: IMAGO

Manchester City Move Ends After £80m Offer

City now switch their attention elsewhere, with Enzo Fernandez reportedly their next priority. That says plenty too. Clubs at the top level move quickly when they realise a negotiation is dead. They have already seen Omar Marmoush and Savinho leave for Tottenham Hotspur, while Allan Elias has arrived from Palmeiras in a €40m deal.

For Liverpool, keeping Gakpo means retaining a player who remains productive even through inconsistency. His 2025-26 season was uneven and his league return after the turn of the year was poor, just three goals despite featuring in every fixture. Even so, he has started both Premier League matches this season, scored in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United and assisted in the 2-2 draw with Forest.

Liverpool Squad Depth Still Makes Gakpo Valuable

Step back and the numbers are solid. Gakpo signed a new five-year contract in August 2025 after delivering 18 goals and seven assists in 49 appearances during Liverpool’s 2024-25 title-winning campaign. Across his Liverpool career, he has 50 goals and 23 assists in 180 appearances. Those are not disposable figures.

There is also the human side. At the World Cup this summer, he scored three goals in four games and made himself available for selection only days after his partner Noa revealed they had lost their child during pregnancy. That does not excuse poor form, but it does provide context that should not be ignored.

Liverpool signed Gakpo from PSV for an initial £37m, potentially rising to £44m. Rejecting £80m is huge on paper. Keeping him, though, may be worth more if Andoni Iraola believes he can still get a top-level forward back to his sharpest level.

Our View

From a Liverpool perspective, this is one of those reports that leaves you a bit torn. On one hand, £80m for a player who had a mixed 2025-26 season is serious money. If a player “had been keen to make the move”, supporters are entitled to ask whether keeping him is wise. There is no point pretending commitment does not matter.

On the other hand, Liverpool’s attack is in transition and that changes the equation. Barcola has only just arrived, Alexander Isak is still settling into his place as the headline forward, and the squad needs proven numbers. Gakpo has given Liverpool output before, and he has shown enough early this season to suggest he can still contribute.

The uncertainty comes from role and mentality. If he wanted Manchester City, then Iraola has to be sure he is fully on board now. Liverpool cannot carry passengers, especially after the turbulence of the past year. The manager needs players who are committed to the project, not waiting for another phone call.

Still, there is logic in resisting the sale. Liverpool do not need to act like a club cashing in at the first big offer. If Gakpo rediscovers consistency, his value on the pitch could outweigh the transfer fee. If he does not, then this decision will be questioned for a long time. Right now, it feels like a gamble, but one Liverpool clearly believe is worth taking.