NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Liverpool reaching an outline agreement for Paris Saint-Germain left winger Bradley Barcola, the deal is now expected to free Cody Gakpo up for transfer.
Barcola is nearing a move to Liverpool worth up to £120 million, with the 23-year-old set to be granted permission to undergo a medical.
With the final details being negotiated for an initial £100 million package with £20 million in add-ons, Barcola will complete a long-awaited switch to Anfield.
That is expected to have a knock-on effect on Liverpool’s current first-choice left winger Gakpo, who is a target for Tottenham and Man City.
Tottenham and Man City want Cody Gakpo
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo is challenged by Monaco's Lamine Camara (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo is challenged by Monaco's Lamine Camara (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Gakpo is believed to be open to a move away from Merseyside, and with Barcola effectively taking his place, The Athletic‘s David Ornstein is among those to report that the impending deal could allow him to leave.
Liverpool are thought to value their No. 18 at around £70 million and there were conflicting claims over a bid from Tottenham in mid-August.
Reports in the Netherlands indicate that Gakpo has already provisionally agreed terms on a contract with Roberto De Zerbi’s side, while it would be no surprise if a switch to Man City also appeals.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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It comes just a year after Gakpo signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool, but much has changed at the club since then.
However, the appointment of Andoni Iraola as head coach does not appear to have impacted his situation in the immediate term, with the Spaniard repeatedly praising the 27-year-old for his performances in pre-season and Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle.
“Cody has been one of our best players,” he told Swedish broadcaster Viaplay after the Premier League opener.
“I said it before the game, his pre-season has been very good, today he scored, he asked for the ball every time, a lot of dangerous crosses, arrivals.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo scores his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo scores his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“He’s playing very well.”
There remains a sense that Gakpo does not exactly fit the profile of an Iraola winger though, and it is no surprise Liverpool are seeking two fast, direct options in the final days of the transfer window.
Wednesday saw contact with Crystal Palace over a potential deal for right winger Ismaila Sarr, while two bids for Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh were unsuccessful and talks with PSG over Ibrahima Mbaye have proved fruitless.
Liverpool could still return to the table for Minteh, despite Brighton‘s off-putting asking price of £80 million.
Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola
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