Cody Gakpo has missed out on the opportunity to earn more than €15 million after his transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City fell through.
According to De Telegraaf, the Dutch striker had reached personal terms with Manchester City and was ready to move to the Etihad. The English club had offered him a significantly higher salary than what Gakpo currently earns at Liverpool, with the difference that, over a five-year contract, would bring him more than 15 million euros in additional income.
The transfer seemed very close to being completed. Liverpool and Manchester City had been negotiating for several weeks, with the deal reportedly worth around €100m. Gakpo, who had been keen on a move to Liverpool's arch-rivals, saw the move as a significant step in his career.
However, Liverpool ultimately decided not to let the 27-year-old leave. According to reports, the club's board did not want to strengthen one of their main Premier League rivals and, above all, failed to secure a suitable replacement for Gakpo.
Liverpool had approached Bradley Barcolan from Paris Saint-Germain, but the desire to add another attacking player was not enough to convince the club to finalise the sale of Gakpo. Manchester City, after failing to secure the Dutchman, turned to Everton striker Iliman Ndiaye.
Thus, Gakpo will continue his career at "Anfield", while in addition to the failed transfer, he also lost the opportunity to benefit from a considerable amount of the salary he would receive at Manchester City.
Reports also mention that Jeff Bezos' arrival in Liverpool's ownership structure may have influenced the club's stance, although his exact role in the decision on Gakpo remains unclear.
