Cody Gakpo Reveals He Came Close to Leaving Liverpool for Manchester City

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has opened up about a complicated summer that saw his future at Anfield become uncertain, with Manchester City among the clubs reportedly interested in signing the Netherlands international.

The 2026 summer transfer window brought significant speculation around Gakpo’s future after reports linked him with a potential move to Premier League rivals Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. However, the transfer never materialised, and the 27-year-old ultimately remained with Liverpool.

Gakpo has now spoken about the situation, explaining that the summer was particularly difficult for him and his family. Rather than becoming consumed by uncertainty surrounding his football career, the winger said he focused on controlling what he could and continuing to play football.

His comments provide a rare insight into how the Liverpool attacker dealt with a period that combined personal hardship with uncertainty over his professional future.

Cody Gakpo Confirms Manchester City Interest

Gakpo acknowledged that there was genuine uncertainty surrounding his future during the summer, although he chose not to go into extensive detail about the potential transfer.

The Liverpool forward explained that he essentially allowed the situation to develop naturally rather than trying to control every possible outcome.

“I just let it happen, and it ended the way it ended,” Gakpo said when discussing the situation in an interview with The Telegraph.

He also described the summer as difficult for both himself and his family, making clear that the uncertainty surrounding football was only one part of a much more challenging period in his life.

Gakpo’s comments suggest that he did not want the transfer speculation to dominate his attention. Instead, he focused on his responsibilities as a footballer and on spending time with the people closest to him.

A Difficult Summer for Gakpo and His Family

The transfer uncertainty came during an especially challenging period for Gakpo’s family.

Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, announced during the summer that their son, Elijah Raphael, had died during pregnancy. The Netherlands international was involved with his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the time.

The personal circumstances surrounding the summer made the transfer speculation considerably more complicated. Gakpo later described the period as “very tough” and indicated that his priority was to spend time with his family and friends while continuing his football career.

For Gakpo, the situation demonstrated the contrast between the public nature of professional football and the private challenges experienced by players away from the pitch.

While transfer reports can dominate headlines, the winger’s comments show that his summer involved much more than deciding which club he might represent next season.

Why Gakpo Ultimately Stayed at Liverpool

Gakpo’s potential departure became more plausible amid Liverpool’s attempts to strengthen their attacking options during the summer.

The Reds were reportedly unable to complete deals for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr. With those moves not materialising, Liverpool ultimately retained Gakpo rather than losing another attacking option.

The outcome has worked well for Liverpool so far, with Gakpo producing a strong start to the 2026-27 campaign.

The Netherlands international has quickly become one of the team’s most productive attacking players, contributing goals and assists across domestic and European competition.

His continued presence has given Liverpool another reliable attacking option during a season in which the club has needed contributions from several players.

Gakpo’s Strong Start to the 2026-27 Season

Despite the transfer speculation surrounding him during the summer, Gakpo has started the new campaign positively.

After seven games of Liverpool’s 2026-27 season, he has scored two goals and provided four assists in six appearances across competitions, according to the supplied statistics.

His contributions have come in several important matches.

These performances have provided Liverpool with evidence of Gakpo’s importance to their attacking unit, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding his future only a few months earlier.

Gakpo Focused on Football Instead of Transfer Speculation

One of the clearest themes from Gakpo’s comments was his decision to concentrate on the aspects of his career he could control.

The winger acknowledged that footballers cannot always decide what happens in the transfer market. Interest from another club, negotiations between teams and the final outcome of a transfer can all develop independently of a player’s wishes.

Gakpo explained that constantly worrying about what might happen, or what did not happen, would not improve his situation.

That approach allowed him to shift his attention towards training, playing matches and maintaining his relationships with his family and teammates.

He also made clear that he wants to enjoy his life with his family and friends while continuing to play football for Liverpool.

The comments indicate that, despite the considerable speculation around his future, Gakpo is now focused on his current situation rather than revisiting the transfer that never happened.

Manchester City and Liverpool: A Significant Premier League Link

The possibility of Gakpo joining Manchester City would have represented a notable Premier League transfer because it would have involved a move between two of the division’s established clubs.

Gakpo has developed into a versatile attacking player since joining Liverpool, giving him experience in different attacking roles. His ability to contribute through both scoring and chance creation has made him an important option for the Reds.

A move to Manchester City would therefore have represented a significant change in his club career. However, the proposed transfer did not reach completion, and Gakpo remains a Liverpool player.

For Liverpool supporters, the most immediate relevance is what Gakpo can contribute on the pitch. His early-season numbers suggest that he has responded to the uncertainty with productive performances.

Gakpo Carries His Form Into International Football

Gakpo’s strong start has not been limited to club football.

The Netherlands international also continued his scoring form during the September international window. He scored in the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw against Germany on September 24.

The result added another international contribution to an already productive opening period of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Netherlands are scheduled to face Serbia away on September 27 in the UEFA Nations League, giving Gakpo another opportunity to contribute for his country.

His ability to maintain his form at both club and international level will be important as the season develops.

What Gakpo’s Comments Mean for Liverpool

From Liverpool’s perspective, retaining Gakpo has so far produced a positive sporting outcome.

The forward has already registered six goal contributions in six appearances across competitions based on the supplied figures. His two goals and four assists demonstrate that his influence has extended beyond simply finding the net.

His performances have also come across different competitions, showing that he has remained involved regardless of the stage of the season.

The situation is a reminder of how quickly transfer narratives can change. A player can be heavily linked with a move during one period of the summer and then become an important contributor for his existing club once the season begins.

For Gakpo, the priority now appears to be straightforward: continue playing well, enjoy football with his teammates and spend time with his family away from the pitch.

Gakpo’s Situation Highlights the Human Side of Transfer Windows

Transfer windows are often presented through the perspective of clubs, fees and negotiations. Players, however, experience those periods differently.

Gakpo’s comments highlight how uncertainty around a potential move can overlap with significant personal circumstances. His decision not to focus excessively on what could have happened allowed him to concentrate on the present.

His situation also shows why a transfer report should not automatically be treated as confirmation that a player will leave. Interest from another club can exist without a completed agreement, and several factors can ultimately determine whether a deal happens.

In Gakpo’s case, Liverpool’s inability to complete other reported attacking deals contributed to the situation in which he remained at Anfield.

Key Takeaways From Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool Future

• Cody Gakpo has confirmed that his future was uncertain during the 2026 summer transfer window.
• Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were linked with the Liverpool forward.
• Gakpo described the summer as difficult for himself and his family.
• Liverpool ultimately retained Gakpo after reported moves for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr did not materialise.
• Gakpo has made a strong start to the 2026-27 campaign with two goals and four assists in six appearances across competitions.
• He scored against Germany for the Netherlands on September 24.
• Gakpo says his focus is now on football, family, friends and his Liverpool teammates.

What Comes Next for Cody Gakpo?

With the transfer speculation behind him for now, Gakpo can concentrate on maintaining his form for Liverpool and the Netherlands.

His early-season statistics indicate that he has already played an important role in Liverpool’s attack. The next challenge will be sustaining that output as the schedule becomes more demanding.

The international fixture against Serbia provides another immediate opportunity for Gakpo, while his performances for Liverpool will continue to shape the discussion around his role at Anfield.

Most importantly, Gakpo’s latest comments suggest that he has accepted the outcome of the summer and is not looking backward. The proposed move to Manchester City did not happen, and his attention is now firmly on the club where he remains under contract.

Final Verdict

Cody Gakpo’s latest comments provide a more personal perspective on a summer filled with transfer speculation. The Liverpool forward confirmed that a potential move to Manchester City was part of the conversation but chose not to dwell on what might have happened.

The circumstances were particularly difficult because the transfer uncertainty coincided with a challenging period for Gakpo and his family. His decision to focus on football, family and friends has allowed him to move forward rather than remain preoccupied with an unresolved transfer.

On the pitch, Gakpo has given Liverpool plenty of reason to be satisfied with his continued presence. Two goals and four assists in six appearances across competitions represent a productive start, while his goal for the Netherlands against Germany shows that his form has carried into international football.

For now, the Manchester City transfer remains a move that never materialised. Gakpo remains at Liverpool, and his performances suggest that the focus has shifted from where he might have gone to what he can achieve at Anfield.