Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester City, and reliable journalist Paul Joyce has now dropped a key update.
The Dutchman’s future has been a big talking point in the last few weeks of the summer transfer window, with both City and Tottenham seen as options for him.
Bradley Barcola’s official arrival at Liverpool is expected to push Gakpo down the left-sided pecking order, and it may be that a new challenge comes his way.
That said, The Times‘ Paul Joyce [via Anfield Sector] has now provided some significant information, saying the 27-year-old’s move to City is “on ice” for the time being, and may not happen this summer.
It means Barcola could end up being Liverpool’s final signing of the window, with Gakpo remaining at the club, and Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr not coming in from Brighton and Crystal Palace, respectively.
Is Cody Gakpo staying a good thing for Liverpool?
Gakpo staying put at Liverpool for another season certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing, even though he is a player who can frustrate on his day, not always showing enough fire in his game.
But he is still a valuable asset for the Reds, providing direct running and end product from the left wing, with his versatility also allowing him to do a job on the right and up front.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola clearly knows that Gakpo is a good player to have around if he does remain at Anfield, lauding him earlier this month:
“I can say what I said last week, and even after the performance he had in the first game. He is playing very well for us, he has been very good since he came back from the World Cup and after the holidays, a good attitude and I hope we can keep him at that level because he has been very influential.”
News of Barcola being Liverpool’s final signing of the summer may not go down too well, however, with no natural right-sided option brought in yet to make up for the loss of the legendary Mohamed Salah.