The cracks at Anfield are widening as Cody Gakpo, one of Liverpool's key attackers, has officially signaled his desire to depart, plunging the club into deeper uncertainty. This isn't just a player seeking a new challenge; it's a symptom of a turbulent era for the Reds, marked by immense emotional and managerial upheaval, adding Gakpo's name to the Liverpool transfer news headlines.
Key Takeaways:
- Cody Gakpo has informed Liverpool of his wish to leave this summer.
- His decision follows a challenging period, including the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and a managerial change from Arne Slot to Andoni Iraola.
- Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Bayern Munich are all vying for his signature.
- Gakpo's potential move to Bayern could inadvertently collapse a record-breaking €53m transfer for PSV's Ismael Saibari.
Anfield Exodus: Why Gakpo Is Pushing for the Exit
It's been an incredibly trying year on Merseyside, both on and off the pitch. The Liverpool squad navigated immense emotional distress following the tragic passing of teammate Diogo Jota in the summer of 2025. This devastating loss profoundly impacted the team's psychological state throughout the subsequent campaign, casting a long shadow over their performances.
On the tactical front, a sharp decline saw manager Arne Slot lose connection with the fanbase. Despite a league title win in his debut year – a truly bizarre turn of events – owners Fenway Sports Group ultimately terminated his contract. With Bournemouth’s tactical mastermind Andoni Iraola now at the helm, the Dutch winger sees this transitional phase as the opportune moment to formalize his desire for a transfer.
European Heavyweights Battle for the Dutch Dynamo
Interest in the versatile forward is predictably high across Europe’s top leagues. Tottenham Hotspur has been most aggressively linked with a move, eager to bolster their attacking options. However, they are far from alone in this pursuit, with Newcastle United also closely monitoring the situation as they adapt to new market dynamics.
The transfer merry-go-round has become significantly more complex due to developments elsewhere. Newcastle's Anthony Gordon was a primary target for Bayern Munich, but his surprise move to Barcelona forced the German giants to pivot. This crucial shift has placed Gakpo firmly on Bayern's radar, setting the stage for a compelling battle for his signature. A move to Bayern would see him link up with former Merseyside attacker Luis Díaz.
The Saibari Swerve: Gakpo's Move Could Cost PSV Millions
The ripple effect of this potential transfer extends all the way to Germany, creating a structural domino effect. Bayern's sudden, strong interest in Gakpo now threatens a separate, record-breaking financial operation for the player's boyhood club, PSV. The Bundesliga champions have spent the week negotiating a lucrative deal for PSV's Moroccan winger, Ismael Saibari.
Bayern has put a total package of €53m on the table for Saibari, including performance-related add-ons. This consists of a guaranteed fixed fee of €48m, with a further €5m potentially following in bonuses. If completed at this valuation, Saibari would become the most expensive outgoing transfer in PSV's history. However, Bayern's pivot towards Gakpo leaves the Eredivisie side sweating, fearing their former academy product could inadvertently collapse their own summer windfall and their record sale.
