Liverpool’s next mega-money transfer teased after Fabrizio Romano drops “here we go”
Tottenham have been handed some encouragement in the window, with Liverpool having reached a verbal agreement to sign Bradley Barcola.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the Reds are set to exchange documents in the next 24 hours.
With Spurs’ hopes of landing Cody Gakpo this summer reportedly tied to the arrival of one (perhaps even two) forwards ahead of the September 1 deadline, the Dutchman may yet be inching towards the exit door.
Bradley Barcola transfer may pave the way for Cody Gakpo exit
Graeme Bailey at TEAMtalk notes that Andoni Iraola is understood to be “reluctant” to allow the Dutch international to leave in the current window.
An understandable position, if Liverpool only intend to add a right-sided winger to their setup and neglect the need for a backup striker.
However, reporting from Sky Sports indicates that the Merseysiders would prefer to add a third body to their forward line this summer, which would then surely allow Gakpo to depart in the same window.
Liverpool could receive a big payday
If we’re comparing the potential sale of Cody Gakpo to Manchester City’s recent £85m package deal with Tottenham for Savio, you’d have to argue that the former should be in a similar ballpark.
The former PSV star has far more readily demonstrated his suitability for life in the English top-flight.
Not to mention the fact that he’s proven more than competitive when paired with a fellow left-winger he can rotate alongside.
The argument for keeping Gakpo at Liverpool
Certainly, we’d be far from comfortable parting ways with a player Iraola appreciates as a possible option for the number nine position.
We have to accept that Alexander Isak cannot be relied upon for every single game this season – particularly not if we intend to challenge on all four fronts.
There’s going to be a need for rotation, and the answer can’t simply be to allow Liverpool’s goal threat to nosedive off a cliff when the Sweden international is being rested.
Not to suggest that Cody Gakpo is necessarily the perfect answer here, but if we’re not intending to find a solution in the market, he’s probably the best answer we’ve got at this point in time.
