Lewis Steele reacts to Cody Gakpo’s potential Liverpool exit: Spurs or Man City? | OneFootball

Liverpool Transfer News: Could Cody Gakpo Really Join Manchester City?

Of all the Liverpool transfer news still to be resolved over the final seven days of the window, Cody Gakpo potentially joining Manchester City might be the most unexpected.

Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lewis Steele admitted his surprise that Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are showing interest in Gakpo, particularly given Liverpool’s own unfinished business in attack.

Current reports support the central point discussed on the podcast. Manchester City are monitoring Gakpo and have enquired about his availability, although there have been no direct club to club talks with Liverpool. Liverpool’s position could change if they sign two wide forwards before the deadline.

For Steele, the entire situation is difficult to comprehend.

“Is it just mental that Spurs and Man City seem in for him?” Davis asked.

“Yeah,” Steele replied, before pointing towards an important detail in Liverpool’s thinking. “Liverpool agreed a five-year deal with him this time last year.”

Manchester City Interest Changes Gakpo Picture

Gakpo has suddenly become one of the more intriguing pieces of Liverpool’s transfer puzzle.

Steele believes interest from clubs of the calibre of Manchester City tells its own story about how the Netherlands international is regarded.

“That’s indicative to me that these clubs probably rate him maybe a little bit more than a lot of the outside observers do,” he told Davis.

Steele was particularly surprised by City’s reported pursuit.

“City targeting Gakpo, I don’t really know what’s going on there either,” he said.

“Yeah, it’s mental.”

Manchester City are assessing attacking options ahead of the deadline, while Gakpo is among the players they are monitoring. Sky Sports reports Liverpool currently do not want to sell, with two attacking arrivals likely to be required before that stance changes.

Barcola and Minteh Could Unlock Exit

This is where Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh become central to Gakpo’s future.

Liverpool remain interested in both players, and Steele expects Gakpo’s situation to develop quickly if Andoni Iraola receives two new wingers.

“If Liverpool get in the two wingers, then I’m sure that things will accelerate on the Gakpo front,” Steele said.

That creates an unusual sequence of potential deals.

Liverpool need to make progress on their incoming targets before seriously considering Gakpo’s departure. City, meanwhile, have an obvious reason to monitor events at Anfield rather than forcing the issue immediately.

Gakpo also started and scored in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, making the prospect of Iraola losing him particularly notable. City have enquired about his potential availability, while Tottenham have also shown interest.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool Face Huge Final Week

The bigger problem, according to Steele, is the sheer amount of work Liverpool still have to complete.

“I’ve never known a club this late in the window to have so much to do,” he said.

He then outlined the scale of the challenge facing Liverpool.

“They’ve got basically the main transfer target of the summer still to sign. They want another winger. They’re going to have to sell one winger if that comes in.”

That winger could seemingly be Gakpo.

Liverpool also have other departures to resolve and positions that Steele believes still require reinforcement.

“They’ve got about five or six exits that are probably going to have to happen. They still have glaring holes in the squad.”

His conclusion was clear: “There’s so much to do and there’s not enough time to do it all, quite frankly.”

Gakpo Transfer No Longer Easy to Dismiss

A move to Manchester City remains dependent on several pieces falling into place.

There have been no direct talks between the clubs, and Liverpool currently want Gakpo to stay. City’s interest is real enough for his situation to be monitored as Liverpool pursue Barcola and Minteh.

Steele’s comments on Media Matters capture how quickly that picture could change.

“If Liverpool get in the two wingers, then I’m sure that things will accelerate on the Gakpo front.”

Seven days from the deadline, that makes Gakpo one to watch. Liverpool are trying to reshape Iraola’s attack, and completing those incoming deals could unexpectedly open the door for one of their established forwards to leave.

Manchester City waiting on the other side would make that decision even more significant.