Man City 'make contact' for Cody Gakpo transfer as Liverpool handed new option

Gakpo, 27, scored Liverpool's first goal of the new Premier League season against Newcastle United on Sunday. He and Alexander Isak were the only forwards to complete 90 minutes at St James' Park in Andoni Iraola's first competitive match as head coach.

The former PSV player signed a five-year contract extension barely 12 months ago. His current deal with Liverpool runs until the summer of 2030.

Get the best Liverpool FC news and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Echo!

Yours in just two simple steps.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Mounir Boualin's reports about City's interest in Gakpo. The latter says they have made their interest known to the player, but not yet to the Reds, something City are said to be considering.

That contact came today, according to Romano, who states that talks have now started. Spurs, however, have reportedly had personal terms in place with Gakpo since July.

Discussions are apparently active with both clubs, and the race is described as on. Liverpool's stance is said to be that they will only sell this summer if they sign two wingers before the transfer deadline.

This introductory offer saves £384 compared to the standard price, with every package also providing 100 regular channels alongside free Netflix and discovery+ subscriptions.

Iraola acknowledged the need for wide players in his pre-match press conference on Friday. He said: "You are asking me what we need, there are certain situations that for me are clear – especially now on the wing because we don't have enough players specific to play in those positions.

"And then after, in other positions, I think we have to be open and open-minded in the market to see situations that honestly can improve our team. It's not about signing because we need a player here.

"No, it's about improving the squad. And we have very good players already here, so to improve our very good players, you need like a specific level [of] players, yes."

Specifically on Gakpo, Iraola said: "Cody is performing really well. I think he has been training very well since the first day, understanding everything we need from his position.

"I think you can feel it straight away when you talk to him; he understands the game. He's very smart, and he has been one of our best players in the friendlies.

"But definitely, he has been performing very well. I cannot tell you the starting XI, the players don't know it, so I will never say it, but definitely he's in a great spot."