Cody Gakpo has multiple interested parties this summer with the likes of Manchester City being linked. And should Liverpool confirm Bradley Barcola it could signal the end of Gakpo's time at the club.
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has refused to rule out a Cody Gakpo exit before the end of the transfer window.
The Liverpool winger has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur during this summer while Manchester City has also been namechecked as an interested party.
Liverpool is closing in on Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, and the anticipated $163million deal would potentially signal the end of the road at Anfield for Gakpo should an interesting offer be put in front of the club before September's deadline.
What Iraola did say, however, was that he would be happy to keep hold of the 27-year-old who he regards as "influential" because he is a fan of the wide player's attributes.
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"I can say what I've said the past week," Iraola began when asked about his playmaker's future. "And even after the performance he had in the first game, I'll say the same again. He's playing very well for us, been very good since he came back from the World Cup and from his holidays.
"He's had a very good attitude and I hope we can keep him at that level because I think he has been very influential." Pushed further on whether or not the Dutchman 'is not going', Iraola added: "When the market is open there's a lot of players, 30 players, you cannot guarantee anything with anyone.
"You never know who is going to arrive. I would like to know when the market finishes that we'll finish with this one, this one and this one, but I don't know.
"I don't know what's going to happen with any of our players, I can't guarantee anything. You think I can smell what we're going to sign, what positions, but experience shows you there's an opportunity on the last day, if it improves us let's take it."
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James's Park in Newcastle
Andoni Iraola has some important games coming at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
The Spanish head coach was also asked about the latest news regarding Barcola following suggestions in multiple outlets that an agreement had been struck.
But he refused to be drawn too specifically on the priority target as he made sure to respect the selling club, especially with no contract yet signed between player and club.
"We are trying to strengthen that position. It's evident that we are trying to improve or fill that position," he added. "I hope we can have good news soon but we are still not there."
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