Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has admitted he cannot guarantee Cody Gakpo will remain at Anfield, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City continuing to monitor the forward.
There have been no club-to-club negotiations between Liverpool and Gakpo’s interested suitors, according to sources, but the situation could change quickly before the transfer window closes.
The biggest factor could be Liverpool’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
The France international has been Liverpool’s priority target throughout the summer, and sources indicate that the Premier League champions have agreed a package worth around £120 million ($163m) to bring him to Anfield.
Barcola’s arrival would immediately increase competition for places in the wide attacking positions — and could leave Gakpo facing a difficult decision over his future.
Asked about Liverpool’s plans and Gakpo’s position within the squad, Iraola made it clear that the club remains focused on strengthening the wings.
“As you know we are trying to sign in that position [wingers] and we cannot talk about players that right now are not ours but it is evident we are trying to improve and fill or trying to fill that position because we don’t have the numbers,” Iraola said in a news conference on Thursday.
“I hope we can have good news soon but we are still not there.”
Gakpo has given Liverpool little reason to question his commitment.
The Netherlands international scored in Liverpool’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday and has continued to perform strongly despite the speculation surrounding his future.
Iraola was quick to praise the 26-year-old’s attitude and form.
“I can say what I said last week, and even after the performance he had in the first game,” Iraola continued.
“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.”
Gakpo’s position becomes more complicated because Barcola naturally operates from the left flank — the same area where the Liverpool forward has often been most effective.
If Liverpool complete the blockbuster move, Gakpo could find himself competing for minutes against one of Europe’s most highly rated young attackers.
That could potentially open the door for Tottenham or Manchester City.
However, Gakpo has not publicly pushed for an exit, and Iraola insists the transfer market makes long-term guarantees almost impossible.
“When the market is open you cannot guarantee anything with anyone. When I arrived I would like to know how the market finishes and then when you finish with this one and this one but I don’t know what is going to happen with any of our players.
“I cannot guarantee anything. You think I can smell who we are going to sign or what position but experience shows you that, if there is an opportunity on the last day, let’s take it.”
That statement underlines just how unpredictable the final days of the window could become. Gakpo is not the only issue occupying Iraola’s mind.
Liverpool are still assessing whether other areas of the squad require reinforcement, although strengthening the wide positions remains the clear priority.
The manager admitted that uncertainty is making planning difficult, particularly with only a handful of days remaining before the deadline.
“That is the question mark. Ideally is the magic word. At the end, there are certain things you can lose and we don’t know what we can do but it’s true the priority has been most in the wide areas. Still we have four or five days.
“I am sure if we can improve other areas we will but I don’t know how the market is going to finish. I have to be patient, the same as you.
“Believe me, it is very uncomfortable for me because you are dealing with uncertainties all the time but we have to wait four or five days and then we will know what we have and we can make proper plans.”
Liverpool therefore head into the final stretch of the transfer window with two major questions hanging over their attack.
For now, the Dutchman remains a Liverpool player and appears fully focused on his football. His goal against Newcastle and recent performances suggest he is ready to fight for his place.
But with Tottenham and Manchester City watching closely and Liverpool pushing hard for Barcola, the situation could change rapidly.
At Anfield, the transfer window has entered its most dangerous phase — and Iraola knows better than most that nothing can be guaranteed until the deadline passes.
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