Cody Gakpo confirms Bayern Munich approach – but “at home” with Liverpool

Cody Gakpo has confirmed Bayern Munich did make an approach for him this summer, but they ended up buying Luis Diaz while he signed a new Liverpool contract.

Gakpo’s name was floated among the several linked with Bayern Munich over the summer, not knowing a new contract with Liverpool had been in the works for a year.

The Dutchman signed a new long-term contract to 2030 at the end of August, but it was a long time in the making and that led to links to an exit throughout the summer.

The 26-year-old emerged as a target for Bayern as they sought to bolster their forward options, but Gakpo felt comfortable knowing talks were ongoing to extend his time at Anfield.

“From what I understand, [Bayern] did come, but they ended up buying Luis Diaz,” Gakpo told ESPN Netherlands with a grin.

“It’s nice [to have clarity]. I’ve experienced things differently myself, of course.

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“A transfer window like this can be hectic and stressful for a player and everyone around them. I don’t have that problem anymore.”

Gakpo also revealed during his interview while on international duty that contract talks “took us a year,” adding, “maybe a little longer or shorter, but it’s just a long process.”

“I already told the club that I’m happy and that my family is happy in England. We feel at home, and I think that’s very important, besides the football itself, of course.”

Gakpo has started all three Premier League games this season, scoring once and assisting twice as the first-choice left winger.

The arrival of Alexander Isak will likely increase his competition, though, with Hugo Ekitike also to vie for a spot in the XI alongside the Swede, while Rio Ngumoha acts as a young reinforcement.

Liverpool cannot stand still on the back of their title-winning success, and the changes in attack will ask different questions of Gakpo, which will only benefit Arne Slot‘s pursuit of more silverware.

Gakpo is currently on international duty with the Netherlands, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, and they face Poland (Thursday) and Lithuania (Sunday) in World Cup qualifiers.