news-engine

Manchester City are evolving their interest in Enzo Fernandez this summer. Fabrizio Romano reports on X (formerly Twitter) that the Sky Blues are set to submit a formal bid in the coming days. However, there has yet to be any development on the Cody Gakpo front since Enzo Maresca’s men reportedly opened contact with the Dutchman’s camp. Manchester City prioritising Enzo Fernandez signing first It would appear that the Chelsea midfielder is willing to make the move to the Etihad this summer. However, the money potentially involved in the deal is proving to be a significant barrier, with the Blues demanding in the region of £120m. 🚨💣 Manchester City are set to send formal bid before the end of the window for Enzo Fernández!#MCFC want to try again and Enzo has opened doors to the move. Chelsea mantain they only sell if money is right and if they can improve their squad. pic.twitter.com/JiMzuy19ho — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 25, 2026 🚨🇳🇱 Manchester City made contact with Cody Gakpo’s camp today, as @MounirBoualin reported. Talks have started while Tottenham remain in active discussions for Cody and with personal terms in place. Race on. pic.twitter.com/Uy5jnNAuzD — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2026 However, reports are increasingly indicating that both parties could very well reach an agreement on terms ahead of the deadline on September 1. Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust At any rate, this seems the deal most likely to be finalised first, with Cody Gakpo unlikely to be allowed to depart anyway until Liverpool have secured the requisite number of offensive reinforcements. Liverpool will bend on Cody Gakpo but only if signings arrive Liverpool’s current position is clear: the former PSV winger is untouchable before Bradley Barcola and another wide option (be it Yankuba Minteh, Ibrahim Mbaye, or another mystery option) arrive this summer. And there’s perhaps an argument to be made that we shouldn’t even consider moving our No.18 on until we reinforce the centre forward position. However, we strongly suspect Liverpool will sanction a sale provided their minimum requirement of two new winger signings is met. But as of yet, as The Athletic confirmed this morning, club-to-club discussions have yet to begin. Can Manchester City afford Gakpo? It’s a question worth posing, given deals for Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez could see Manchester City set back to the tune of £200m. Mind, exits for the likes of Savinho (Tottenham), Rodri (Barcelona), and Tijjani Reinders (Al-Qadsiah), among others, have handed Maresca’s side plenty of wiggle room. Welcome to Tottenham, Sávio 🤍 pic.twitter.com/cluPZrKRHc — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 25, 2026 So, technically speaking, there is room to push on for Gakpo this summer. But you’d have to expect that Liverpool will be quick to point out that if Savinho went to Tottenham for an £85m package deal, this should be the minimum bar to clear for the Dutch international. It remains to be seen whether City would be prepared to meet this.