Liverpool Left Sweating Over Cody Gakpo Future After Reliable Journo’s ‘Personal Favourite’ Admission

The summer transfer window is in full swing, and top European clubs are making strategic moves to bolster their squads. Among them, FC Bayern Munich finds itself in a challenging position, desperately needing to reinforce its attacking flanks. With German international Leroy Sane set to depart on a free transfer to Turkish giants Galatasaray, the Bundesliga champions face a significant void on their left wing, leaving them short on crucial offensive options.

Initially, Bayern’s scouting efforts focused on two promising young talents: Nico Williams and Jamie Gittens. Both players possess the electrifying pace and dribbling ability that Bayern seeks to inject into their attacking lineup. However, the Bavarian giants have encountered unexpected hurdles in their pursuit, as both Williams and Gittens appear destined for rival European powerhouses, disrupting Bayern’s meticulously crafted transfer plans.

The past few days have been particularly trying for Bayern’s sporting hierarchy, specifically for director of sport Max Eberl and sporting director Christoph Freund. Their concerted efforts to secure these highly sought-after wingers have seemingly hit a wall, leaving them scrambling for alternative solutions as the transfer window progresses. The competitive landscape of European football, with its financial muscle and persuasive power, has once again demonstrated its ability to sway top talents towards the most enticing propositions.

In a significant blow to Bayern’s aspirations, sources close to both Chelsea and Barcelona have confirmed that these clubs have made concrete and decisive moves for Jamie Gittens and Nico Williams, respectively. At this juncture, it appears highly probable that both players will complete permanent transfers to these rival outfits. This development underscores the intense competition for elite young talent in today’s football market and highlights the need for clubs to act swiftly and decisively to secure their targets.

For Jamie Gittens, the path seems clear: he has reportedly already reached an agreement on personal terms with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. This signifies a strong intent from the London club and a preference from the player’s side to embark on a new chapter in the Premier League. The allure of English football, combined with Chelsea’s ambitious project under Maresca, seems to have played a significant role in securing Gittens’ commitment.

Meanwhile, Barcelona, despite their well-documented financial struggles, remains confident in their ability to register Nico Williams this summer. This optimism is fueled by a crucial injection of capital. Investment totaling €40 million [£34 million] from the German company Libero Football Finance is expected to be transferred into the club’s accounts for the 2025/26 season. This financial boost provides Barcelona with the much-needed liquidity to navigate the complexities of the transfer market and register key signings like Williams

With their initial targets slipping away, the pool of quality wing options available on the market this summer is rapidly shrinking for Bayern. This scarcity has forced the German champions to broaden their search and, critically, to turn their gaze towards the Premier League, a league renowned for its abundance of top-tier talent. The English top flight, with its competitive nature and high-quality players, now represents a primary hunting ground for Bayern as they desperately seek to address their left-wing conundrum.

Liverpool, a perennial powerhouse in the Premier League, currently boasts an impressive array of talent on their left flank, making them a prime target for Bayern’s recruitment team. This wealth of options has not gone unnoticed by Max Eberl, who is reportedly keen on several Reds players. The strategic shift towards the Premier League highlights Bayern’s determination to acquire proven quality, even if it means venturing into a highly competitive and often expensive market.

Christian Falk, a highly reliable Bundesliga reporter, has now exclusively revealed to CaughtOffside that Cody Gakpo, in particular, stands out as a ‘personal favourite’ of the Bayern chief, Max Eberl. This revelation sheds light on Bayern’s specific interests and indicates a strong desire to bring the Dutch forward to the Allianz Arena. Gakpo’s versatility, his ability to play across the front line, and his impressive goal contributions make him an incredibly appealing prospect for a club like Bayern.

Beyond Gakpo, Liverpool’s Luis Diaz is also an admired quantity in the halls of power at Säbener Straße, Bayern’s training ground. The Colombian winger’s explosive pace, directness, and eye for goal have made him a formidable presence in the Premier League. While Gakpo might be the ‘personal favourite,’ Diaz remains a viable and highly attractive option for Bayern, demonstrating their comprehensive approach to identifying and pursuing top-tier attacking talent.

Falk elaborated on Bayern’s potential interest, stating, “Max Eberl should already be looking for alternative candidates for the wing. Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, for example, could be back on the radar. The player is said to be a personal favourite of Eberl.” He further added that while initial talks with Gakpo’s representatives occurred, recent contact has been minimal, but that could change swiftly, with Diaz also remaining a candidate. This suggests that while previous discussions might have occurred, Bayern is now poised to reignite their pursuit.

The statistical output of both Gakpo and Diaz last season further reinforces Bayern’s interest. The pair collectively registered an impressive 35 goals and 15 assists across all competitions. This remarkable combined contribution underscores their attacking prowess and their ability to directly influence games. For a club like Bayern, which demands high attacking output from its wingers, these numbers make a compelling case for their acquisition.

It is certainly understandable why Cody Gakpo, specifically, would appeal so strongly to FC Bayern’s recruitment team. His remarkable rate of goal contributions for Arne Slot’s men in the 2024/25 season speaks volumes about his effectiveness in front of goal and his seamless integration into Liverpool’s attacking system. Gakpo’s knack for finding the back of the net and his creative contributions make him a top-tier target for any club looking to strengthen its attacking options.

The prospect of a regular first-team role at a club like Bayern Munich could certainly intrigue the Dutchman enough to consider parting ways with the Premier League champions. While Liverpool is a top club, the guarantee of consistent starts and a prominent role in Bayern’s system might be a significant factor for Gakpo. However, whether this alone would be enough to tempt him away from Anfield remains to be seen, especially given his importance to Liverpool.

There also remains the potentially awkward question of the asking price. Cody Gakpo has three years left on his current deal, which expires in the summer of 2028, and he is a firm favourite of Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot. This strong contractual position and Slot’s high regard for the player mean that Liverpool will be in a robust bargaining position. The Reds will undoubtedly be reluctant to push their left winger out the door this summer, certainly not without the player’s explicit wishes and a very sizeable transfer fee that reflects his value and long-term contract. Bayern will need to prepare a significant financial package to even begin negotiations for Gakpo.