Manchester City could break Barcelona's record transfer for a Dutch player with a €100 million bid for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. The Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported on Monday that the English club is preparing this move, which would surpass the €75 million plus add-ons that Barcelona paid Ajax for Frenkie de Jong in 2019.
Barcelona, meanwhile, remains focused on domestic competition. Xavi Hernández's side sits third in La Liga with six points from two wins in their opening two matches. Their next fixture is at home against Rayo Vallecano this Sunday, a game you can track on our fixtures page. The Blaugrana have scored seven goals and conceded none, leaving them just one point behind leaders Atlético Madrid.
What does Manchester City's bid mean?
The reported offer from Manchester City would reach €100 million for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. This transfer would set a new all-time record for an exit from the Netherlands, breaking the mark held by Frenkie de Jong since his arrival at the Camp Nou seven years ago. A personal agreement between the player and City is already in place, according to the information from the Netherlands cited by Mundo Deportivo.
However, the deal is not done. Liverpool has not given its final approval and would only allow Gakpo to leave once they find a suitable replacement. The Merseyside club is already exploring options in the market, with PSG's French winger Bradley Barcola on their radar, along with another wide player. The progress of this search will be key to unlocking the potential record-breaking transfer.
Why is De Jong's record relevant for Barcelona?
Frenkie de Jong's transfer from Ajax to Barcelona in the summer of 2019 for a base fee of €75 million, with variables that could take it to €86 million, became the most expensive signing in history for a player leaving the Dutch league. That record investment could be surpassed if Manchester City finalizes its offer for Gakpo.
This context highlights the evolution of the transfer market, where figures continue to climb. For Barcelona, the news arrives during a period of sporting solidity, as reflected in the early-season data in our stats section. The team has started La Liga strongly, displaying effective attacking play and a solid defense.
How does this affect the transfer market?
The potential €100 million operation injects new dynamics into the closing of the summer market. A move of such magnitude for a 27-year-old player sets a significant economic precedent. For Liverpool, it represents a major capital gain, while for Manchester City it signifies a high-profile reinforcement for their attack.
The situation keeps several market actors on edge. The resolution of this potential transfer could accelerate other operations, including Liverpool's search for a replacement. Barcelona, for its part, continues on its path with focus on collective performance and maintaining its positive streak, which keeps them near the top of the standings.
The Blaugrana squad, which you can review in detail on our squad page, is now concentrating on the match against Rayo Vallecano. A victory could allow them to keep pace with Atlético Madrid or even reach the top, depending on other results. De Jong's record, for now, still stands, but City's interest in Gakpo threatens to rewrite the history of Dutch transfers.
