Cody Gakpo transfer to Man City OFF with Liverpool unable to find replacement for £80million Dutchman

CODY GAKPO’S move to Manchester City is OFF after Liverpool failed to find a replacement. An £80million package that included £75m up-front had been agreed between the clubs. Cody Gakpo looked set to leave Anfield but the club have performed a dramatic U-turn Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Liverpool had chased Ismaila Sarr, but Crystal Palace refused their offers Credit: Getty However, Liverpool’s failed attempts to sign Crystal Palace man Ismaila Sarr among other targets meant the Reds were not comfortable with letting the Dutchman go. Gakpo had been the focus of both Spurs and Manchester City this summer with the latter appearing to win the race late last week. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! While the Dutch winger was open to leaving Merseyside, it’s believed he is just as happy to remain at the club. Liverpool had a £50m bid for Sarr rejected early last week and returned to the table with an improved offer earlier today. But Crystal Palace has remained adamant the 28-year-old will not leave Selhurst Park this summer and barring a monstrous offer, that appears to be what will happen. The Reds had a pursuit of Brighton’s Yankubu Minteh go a similar way. It’s not all doom and gloom for Liverpool, though. They did complete the blockbuster £123 million signing of Bradley Barcola from PSG. It is hoped he will be the big name singing that will replace club legend Mo Salah who departed earlier this summer. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK The other wide man to join the club this summer was Victor Munoz, who got his first goal for the club in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend. And lest we forget, Liverpool have 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha as another option out wide. City are now said to be firmly focusing on their pursuit of Chelsea playmaker, Enzo Fernandez. New Man City boss Enzo Maresca remains keen to reunite with Fernandez having led him during his time in the dugout at Stamford Bridge. However, the Blues reportedly want around £120m for the man they spent £107m on two-and-a-half years ago. Chelsea had originally set a deadline for City to meet if they wanted to purchase the 2022 World Cup winner, but no move was made. However, as the window has dragged on, new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has left Fernandez out of his plans as the midfielder clearly agitates for a move. Furthermore, he was booed by his own Chelsea fans when he appeared in the final friendly before the Premier League season. Comment now