Cody Gakpo's move to Manchester City is OFF as Liverpool struggle to secure replacements

Cody Gakpo's move to Manchester City is off as Liverpool are struggling to secure a replacement.

Daily Mail Sport reported earlier today that the winger was willing to stay at the club if they were unable to seal a deal for Yankuba Minteh - for whom Brighton have rebuffed their latest bid - or Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace.

The Dutch winger, who started both of Liverpool’s first two Premier League games, was closing in on a switch to Manchester City ahead of deadline day, with clubs in talks over a deal worth around £85million.

But the transfer has now collapsed after Liverpool were unable to find a suitable replacement, despite signing 23-year-old winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for £123m on Monday.

Liverpool made a breakthrough with PSG last week after several weeks of negotiations to try to bring down the European champions' stubborn valuation, which started at £145m.

Despite luring the Frenchman on a five-year contract, Liverpool are not willing to let Gakpo join Manchester City until they sign another attacker.

The transfer twist comes just a day after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk urged his Reds team-mate to stay at Anfield.

When asked how he felt about the prospective move after Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Van Dijk said: ‘What do you think? He's a quality player. I think we should keep quality players.

‘Let's see what the next few days bring. I want him to stay not only because he's a quality player but also because he's a friend of mine. He's very important to us.’

On Barcola's arrival at Anfield, Van Dijk added: ‘He's a good player, that's the only thing I can say. I don't think there's any doubt that a club like Liverpool is very attractive to very good players.

‘This is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We all know that we're going through a little bit of a transition. You either want to be a part of it or you don't.

‘He's a player with pace. I remember a goal he scored against Chelsea. If he comes here then he will be welcomed with open arms.’