Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has interest from Man City and Tottenham, and while the Reds could get a good fee for the 27-year-old, time is running out to sign a replacement
Cody Gakpo walks out before Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest.
Cody Gakpo walks out before Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Already with work to do to strengthen its roster before the transfer deadline, Liverpool may now have to deal with Manchester City's interest in Cody Gakpo.
All summer, Tottenham has been keen on the Dutch forward, who has made a good start to the new season, scoring at Newcastle and assisting against Nottingham Forest. But The Athletic broke the news on Saturday that Gakpo wants to move to the Etihad Stadium and sign for Enzo Maresca.
At $115 million (£85 million) or so, it would be a good price for Liverpool to receive for Gakpo, who struggled last season. But that money is only useful if it is put to good use — and the clock is ticking.
For it to make sense for Liverpool to lose Gakpo to a rival, the Reds would need to ensure that they have ample numbers in an attack that already looks too weak.
Adding Bradley Barcola, who is expected to come in from PSG for around $166 million (£123 million) including add-ons, would mean that the left flank is sorted, but the right-hand side remains light.
Yankuba Minteh, should Brighton be convinced to sell, could replace Gakpo and that would leave Liverpool with Barcola and Rio Ngumoha for the left, and the Gambian and Victor Munoz for the right.
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool FC during the Premier League match against Newcastle United
Cody Gakpo continues to be linked with a move away from Liverpool amid interest from Manchester City and Tottenham(Image: Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
If Federico Chiesa can play any kind of serious role this term, that might be just about enough depth, but any injuries would leave Liverpool looking light again quickly.
With the intensity that Iraola wants to play at, more of those are inevitable, not least when the schedule begins to ramp up.
In addition to Minteh, the ideal scenario would be adding another player of a similar level who can play in all three attacking positions, covering for the injured Hugo Ekitike in the meantime.
That is a key consideration, given that Gakpo has experience of playing as a number nine. Alexander Isak, as things stand, is the only striker option, while Florian Wirtz is the only real number 10 in the mold that Iraola wants.
Content Image
Content Image
In order for Gakpo to leave, Liverpool needs to end up with Barcola plus two more players coming in if it is to avoid taking an almighty gamble.
And given signing any forward aside from Munoz, who had a release clause written into his contract, has taken all summer, the chances of doing another two on top of Barcola inside the next three days seem slim.
Minteh and Ismaila Sarr have both been considered, among other names. The former would seem a better fit in terms of both age and profile, while the latter is 28, but can play as a striker.
If it isn't one or both of those two, then there will need to be a late wildcard. It looks set to be a very busy couple of days as the September 1 transfer deadline — and 11pm (UK time) — edges ever closer.