Manchester City have opened formal talks with Liverpool over a potential move for Netherlands winger Cody Gakpo, with the 27-year-old emerging as one of the biggest transfer stories of the final stretch of the summer window.

Sources indicate that City is Gakpo's preferred destination should he depart Anfield before Tuesday's deadline, despite Tottenham Hotspur also registering concrete interest in the attacker.

Liverpool's conditions

Liverpool's willingness to sanction Gakpo's departure is tied to their own business in the market. The club has agreed a deal worth up to £123 million to sign Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, but are understood to be seeking a further forward addition before letting Gakpo leave.

Among the names Liverpool are monitoring as potential replacements are Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr, both of whom could help satisfy the club's requirements on the wing.

With three days remaining in the transfer window, the situation surrounding Gakpo is moving quickly — and his ultimate destination could hinge on how fast Liverpool can complete their own inbound recruitment.