Manchester City have opened talks with Liverpool about signing attacker Cody Gakpo.

The Netherlands forward’s future is set to become one of the key storylines heading into the final three days of the transfer window.

The 27-year-old has attracted concrete interest from City and Tottenham Hotspur, but sources indicate that City is Gakpo’s preferred destination if he leaves Anfield before Tuesday’s deadline.

City made formal contact with Liverpool over a move on Saturday evening.

Gakpo’s potential exit comes after Liverpool agreed to sign Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola in a deal worth up to £123m.

However, it is understood that Liverpool would prefer to sign another forward before sanctioning Gakpo’s exit this summer.

The Reds have an interest in Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr.

Gakpo joined Liverpool from boyhood club PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 and has scored 33 goals in 91 Premier League appearances.

On Saturday, he provided the assist for Alexander Isak’s goal as Andoni Iraola’s side drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest at Anfield, having scored in last week’s draw at Newcastle.

Liverpool view Gakpo as a proven multi-functional Premier League attacker and he has shown that with a goal and an assist in their first two games this season.

But all summer, the understanding has been that if the club bring in the attacking players they want, they would not stand in the way of Gakpo if a solid offer came in.

Given how late in the transfer window the talks are taking place between Liverpool and Manchester City, the Anfield side will now consider the situation before sanctioning any move.

Liverpool are also hoping to bring in another winger before deadline day.

With the arrival of Victor Munoz, the emergence of Rio Ngumoha and Barcola’s imminent move from PSG, Gakpo is well aware that he may not be first choice any more, so if a move does happen it would not come as a surprise.

Financially it will be a great outcome for Liverpool if they agree a deal for about £85m given they signed Gakpo for £35m from PSV Eindhoven after the World Cup in 2022.

But with Hugo Ekitike missing until 2027 with a ruptured Achilles tendon, and Isak’s injury struggles, they would be taking a massive risk letting Gakpo leave.