The bid, which totaled a massive £80m including add-ons, was formally knocked back by Liverpool on Monday as the transfer deadline approached. While the prospect of receiving such a fee for the 27-year-old was tempting, the decision-makers at Anfield prioritized the stability of their squad over the immediate cash injection.
It is understood that Manchester City are exploring alternatives after Liverpool rejected their £80m bid for Gakpo, signaling that the champions may now pivot to other targets to ensure they have sufficient depth for their title defense.