Manchester City fans have reacted strongly to the latest Cody Gakpo transfer news, with many supporters appearing ready to move on from the Liverpool winger after reports that his current club could keep him beyond the transfer deadline.
Liverpool have informed Gakpo’s camp that they are prepared to retain the Netherlands international if they cannot secure another attacking player before the window closes. Gakpo has reportedly agreed personal terms with Manchester City, but he would also be prepared to remain at Anfield if Liverpool decide against allowing the transfer to happen.
The situation has left City supporters looking for alternatives.
In the reactions to the City Xtra post, the name appearing repeatedly was Iliman Ndiaye. Several fans urged the club to abandon the Gakpo pursuit and move quickly for the Everton forward instead.
Others directed their frustration at sporting director Hugo Viana, while some supporters simply celebrated the possibility that the Gakpo saga could finally be coming to an end.
“Thank God” — Man City fans react
One of the clearest reactions was simply:
“Thank god.”
Another supporter repeated:
“Thank God.”
A third fan added the same message with a prayer emoji.
Those reactions might seem surprising considering Gakpo has been one of the most talked-about potential additions to Manchester City’s squad.
However, they reflect a growing sense of fatigue around the transfer saga.
City fans have spent days discussing whether Gakpo will leave Liverpool, whether Liverpool will find a replacement and whether Manchester City will eventually complete the deal.
Now, with Liverpool reportedly willing to keep him if their replacement plans fail, some supporters appear ready to close the chapter.
“Gakpo was a waste of time”
The strongest reaction came from a supporter who wrote:
“We better go and get Ndiaye asap, Gakpo was a f**king waste of time.”
That comment received significant engagement.
It perfectly captures the frustration among supporters who believe Manchester City have spent too much time pursuing a deal that may ultimately be impossible.
Another fan simply wrote:
“Get Ndiaye now.”
Others echoed the same message, including:
“Just get Ndiaye.”
And:
“GO GET NDIEYE.”
The repetition is striking.
Regardless of whether every supporter genuinely believes Ndiaye is the ideal replacement, his name has clearly become a popular alternative among fans who want Manchester City to act quickly.
Why Liverpool are holding firm
The latest report suggests Liverpool’s position is relatively straightforward.
They do not want to lose Gakpo without securing another winger.
Liverpool have already agreed a deal for Bradley Barcola, but the club reportedly wants another attacking addition before allowing Gakpo to leave.
Ismaïla Sarr has emerged as one of the possible solutions.
However, Crystal Palace have resisted Liverpool’s attempts to sign the winger, creating a chain reaction that could directly affect Manchester City’s hopes of signing Gakpo.
If Liverpool cannot land their preferred replacement, they have little reason to weaken their own squad by selling Gakpo.
That is why the situation has become increasingly complicated.
Gakpo is reportedly happy to stay
Another important factor is Gakpo’s reported attitude.
According to the source report, the Dutchman would be happy to remain at Liverpool if the club closes the door on his departure.
That removes one of the biggest potential pressures on Liverpool.
If Gakpo were determined to leave, the situation could become more difficult for the Reds.
Instead, Liverpool can simply tell him that he remains part of their plans.
For Manchester City, that means there may be little they can do unless Liverpool find a replacement and become comfortable with selling.
The clock is also becoming a major factor.
“Get Ndiaye now”
This explains why the reactions focused so heavily on Ndiaye.
One supporter wrote:
“Get Ndiaye now.”
Another said:
“Just get Ndiaye.”
The message was repeated again and again.
Supporters appear to be asking the club to stop waiting for Liverpool and pursue an alternative target who could still strengthen Maresca’s squad.
That urgency is understandable.
The transfer window is approaching its deadline, meaning Manchester City cannot afford to spend too long waiting for one deal to change direction.
If the Gakpo move collapses completely, the club will need a backup plan.
Fans question Hugo Viana
The frustration also turned towards Hugo Viana.
One supporter posted:
“VIANA OUT.”
Another launched a furious attack on the sporting director while demanding that the club sign Ndiaye.
There is clearly growing impatience among some sections of the fanbase.
Viana is operating in a new era for Manchester City and is responsible for an important part of the club’s recruitment strategy.
That makes him an obvious target whenever negotiations fail to progress.
However, it is worth remembering that Liverpool’s decision is not something Manchester City can completely control.
If Liverpool decide that Gakpo is too important to lose without another winger arriving, City cannot simply force the transfer through.
“Time to see if he gets the outstanding 50%”
There was also criticism mixed with optimism about the work being done by the club.
One supporter wrote:
“time to see if he gets the outstanding 50% of his job done. First 2 games won.”
The comment appears to reflect the idea that Maresca and the club have already made some progress, but more needs to be done.
The new manager has inherited a Manchester City squad that is expected to compete for major honours.
Winning matches is obviously the priority.
But strengthening the squad before the deadline is also important.
That is why the Gakpo situation has become so significant.
Some fans are relieved rather than disappointed
The reaction was not universally negative towards the possibility of Gakpo staying at Liverpool.
In fact, some supporters appeared genuinely pleased.
The repeated “Thank God” reactions suggest that not every City fan was convinced Gakpo was the right signing.
That is worth highlighting.
Transfer excitement on social media can sometimes create the impression that every supporter wants a particular player.
The reactions here suggest otherwise.
Some fans may have been interested in Gakpo, but they are now comfortable with the idea of Manchester City moving on.
Their priority is finding another player who can strengthen the squad.
“Cheeky 50m bid for Hadj Moussa”
Ndiaye was not the only alternative mentioned.
One supporter suggested:
“Cheeky 50m bid for Hadj Moussa.”
That comment shows that some fans are already thinking beyond the Gakpo situation.
If Liverpool keep their winger, Manchester City still have an opportunity to pursue another attacking option.
The club’s recruitment team must therefore decide whether to move for an established player or pursue a different profile.
The important thing is speed.
With the deadline approaching, there is little time for a lengthy negotiation.
The Gakpo saga has become a deadline-day drama
The latest development creates three obvious possibilities.
Liverpool could secure another winger and eventually allow Gakpo to leave.
They could fail to sign a replacement and keep the Dutchman.
Or time could simply run out before Manchester City can complete the transfer.
The Business Upturn report states that the Premier League transfer window closes at 11pm BST on Tuesday, 1 September.
That leaves little room for mistakes.
Manchester City must therefore decide how much longer they are willing to wait.
City fans want action
The overwhelming message from the reaction is not necessarily that supporters hate Cody Gakpo.
It is that they want Manchester City to act.
The repeated demands to sign Ndiaye demonstrate that fans do not want another drawn-out transfer saga.
They want a player through the door.
They want Maresca to have the strongest possible squad.
And they want the club’s recruitment team to demonstrate that there is a clear alternative if the Gakpo deal fails.
The frustration is therefore understandable.
Manchester City have already been linked with several attacking targets, but the clock is now moving quickly.
Could missing out on Gakpo be a blessing?
There is also an argument that Manchester City should not panic.
If Liverpool refuse to sell, City should not overpay simply because the deadline is approaching.
A transfer should make sense for the club both financially and tactically.
If Gakpo is unavailable, finding the right alternative matters more than simply finding a replacement name.
That is where Ndiaye’s growing popularity among supporters becomes interesting.
Fans are clearly ready to move on.
Whether the club shares that view remains to be seen.
The final message from City supporters
The reaction to the Gakpo update paints a fascinating picture of the Manchester City fanbase.
Some are relieved.
Some are frustrated.
Others are demanding Ndiaye.
And several are questioning Viana’s handling of the situation.
But there is one common theme: Manchester City need clarity.
If Gakpo is staying at Liverpool, City should move forward.
If Liverpool suddenly find their replacement and reopen the door, City can reconsider.
But supporters do not want the club to spend the final hours of the window waiting for an outcome that may never arrive.
For now, the message from many City fans is brutally simple:
Forget the Gakpo saga. Get Ndiaye. Get the deal done. And give Enzo Maresca the attacking reinforcement he needs.
