Cody Gakpo may have remained at Liverpool this summer, but the collapse of a proposed move to Manchester City reportedly came at an enormous personal cost to the Dutchman.

According to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Gakpo had been in line for a lucrative switch to the Etihad, with a package worth more than €100million being discussed between the clubs. The winger was reportedly keen on the move and had already agreed personal terms with City.

Those terms would have represented a significant increase on his Liverpool salary. The report claims Gakpo could have earned “millions more per year”, leaving him as much as €15million worse off across a proposed five-year contract after the transfer failed to materialise.

It makes Liverpool’s decision to keep the Netherlands international even more intriguing. Gakpo has established himself as an important part of the Reds’ attack since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023. 

Capable of playing through the middle but arguably at his most dangerous cutting inside from the left, his combination of physical power, finishing ability and intelligent movement has given Liverpool a valuable attacking option.

The proposed City transfer ultimately collapsed amid concerns at Anfield over strengthening one of Liverpool’s biggest domestic rivals. With Gakpo tied down to a long-term contract until 2030, the Reds were under no pressure to sanction his departure.

The arrival of new co-owner Jeff Bezos and his consortium is also claimed by De Telegraaf to have contributed to a change in direction at Liverpool, with the group holding the option to become majority shareholders in the future.

For Gakpo, however, attention must now return entirely to matters on the pitch. Competition for attacking places is fierce, with Bradley Barcola, Victor Muñoz and Rio Ngumoha among those battling for opportunities. 

Barcola’s fitness situation and Liverpool’s reluctance to place too much pressure on their youngsters could ensure Gakpo remains heavily involved during the early stages of the campaign.

He has already responded positively. After finding the net against Newcastle United on the opening weekend, Gakpo produced an excellent assist for Alexander Isak last weekend, and his excellent double assists to Isak against Ipswich, hardly the performances of a player allowing transfer disappointment to affect him.

Missing out on a move is one thing. Missing out on potentially €15million is another. But Gakpo remains a Liverpool player, and if his early performances are anything to go by, he appears determined to make sure the failed transfer becomes a footnote rather than the defining story of his season.

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