Cody Gakpo agrees personal terms with next club hours after Liverpool's draw vs Nottingham Forest

Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo has decided which club he wants to join, hours after helping the Reds draw 2-2 against Nottingham Forest.

After scoring in their opening game against Newcastle United, Gakpo assisted Alexander Isak for his first goal of the campaign in their 2-2 draw at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday lunchtime.

Andoni Iraola moved Gakpo to the right wing, with new signing Victor Munoz starting on the left, as the Dutchman was a rare shining light in another topsy-turvy performance.

Unlike many of his teammates, the 27-year-old has made a solid start to the new Premier League campaign, but his displays haven't stopped speculation over his future.

Throughout the summer, it's been reported that Gakpo is open to leaving Anfield, and after Liverpool agreed an eye-watering £123 million deal for Bradley Barcola, it was felt that the Frenchman's arrival would enable the Dutch international to depart.

Barcola is due to have his medical ahead of signing a five-year contract on Merseyside, and Iraola is also in the market for another winger following the 23-year-old's arrival.

Gakpo is aware of that situation and understands his game time would be hampered, which is why he has attracted interest from Premier League rivals Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs saw landing Gakpo as an opportunity to bolster their forward line during a prolific summer of spending. City, meanwhile, would welcome his arrival to fix their depth problems after Savinho and Omar Marmoush moved to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Liverpool's No. 18 was given three options: stay and fight for his place at Anfield, join Roberto De Zerbi's project in north London, or seal a transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

Ornstein has revealed that Gakpo has chosen the latter, with 'all parties now in talks to reach an agreement'.

Further information was supplied by Fabrizio Romano, who disclosed that City are set to bid £85m for the winger and will sanction his sale once they find a replacement.

READ NEXT: Liverpool fans think one player is ‘not at the level’ after Nottingham Forest draw

Liverpool signed Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven in a deal worth an initial £37million, potentially rising to £44m with add-ons, in December 2022.

The dynamic forward has since been the epitome of inconsistency, frustrating supporters with his end product, though still managing 51 goals and 24 assists in 182 appearances for the Reds.

Cody Gakpo's versatility appeals to Enzo Maresca

In an Enzo Maresca system, versatility is a key trait that the Italian looks out for in a player, and Gakpo possesses that in abundance.

During his three-and-a-half years at Anfield, the Dutch international has shown he can operate on either wing or as a central striker.

Already this season, Gakpo has been used as a right and left winger, which will appeal to Man City boss, who already used several of his new players in different positions.

Antoine Semenyo, for instance, started on the right during their opening game comeback against Bournemouth. But in the visit to Crystal Palace, where they clinched a dominant 4-1 victory, the Ghanaian was deployed on the left to torment Anan Khalaili.

Add Gakpo into the equation, and Maresca has an abundance of explosive forward options to choose from and the luxury of rotating his squad once the Champions League starts.