Liverpool have reportedly admitted that Cody Gakpo could leave if a suitable offer arrives for his services this summer.
The Dutchman had a difficult season for the Reds, failing to kick on after being given the keys to a regular starting role on the left wing.
Nevertheless, with Gakpo shining at the World Cup for the Netherlands, there has been a feeling that the 27-year-old would stay and battle with Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha for a starting berth.
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According to journalist David Lynch, however, this may not be the way things play out. With rumours that Gakpo could leave starting to gather pace, the reporter says he asked sources at Liverpool whether they could be true, and was surprised to hear that the No. 18 could in fact be sold this summer.
Liverpool admit that Gakpo could be sold
Gakpo became an easy target for Liverpool fans’ angry at their team’s poor performances last season, and the former PSV Eindhoven captain was often derided online.
As a result, many supporters would be happy enough to see him leave, and while speaking to Anfield Index, Lynch says that, to his surprise, they may see that wish come true.
“I was really, really surprised I’ll be honest when I kind of had a conversation about this just before I went away,” said the journalist.
“I said surely there’s no chance Gakpo’s on the way this summer, they’ve got so much to do already. The answer I got back was kind of ‘hmm, nah, we could sell him.’ I really didn’t expect that personally, I thought Liverpool would just totally acknowledge that he’s got his flaws but give him one more season, see where he’s up to and what they can get out of him from a new manager. But he very much seems to me to be up for a possible sale this summer.
“That’s not to say he’s guaranteed to go, but if an offer on the table comes in that is good enough then Liverpool will 100 per cent accept it. I just didn’t expect that at all. So, one to definitely keep an eye on.”
Lynch did play down suggestions that Gakpo has asked to leave, though, stating that there is no suggestion that the Netherlands star is currently unhappy at Anfield.
“One thing that was played down, this idea that he’s asked to leave is nonsense,” he said.
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“At the moment the player’s focus is on the World Cup as I understand it, but maybe when he comes back there’s a real chance for him to go. It does rely on people stumping up the money but it seems there’s interest in him. So, if that happens we could be saying goodbye to Gakpo.”
Barcola replacing Gakpo is ‘feasible’
Lynch was also asked to comment on recent claims from Fabrizio Romano that Liverpool are still keen to sign Bradley Barcola, even as they engage in active discussions over Yan Diomande.
And according to him, there is a ‘feasible’ chance that if Gakpo goes, the Frenchman could be the player Liverpool look to replace him with.
“For me that feels very feasible,” he said. “There are so many things that have to happen here. Gakpo has to go, the bid has to be right and that probably happens after his World Cup campaign. Then Barcola will have to be in a position where PSG are willing to let him leave. He’s got to pick them [Liverpool].”
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“Arsenal have been linked previously, there’ll be competition. But I’ve been reporting for a long time that Barcola’s a player of interest.
“Earlier in the summer I felt that they want Diomande, if they can’t get him then maybe the door is open to Barcola, but the fact he’s someone that they do like, he can play on either side and centrally, though he primarily prefers the left, it does make sense that he’d be someone they’d pursue if they do lose Gakpo.
“If Gakpo goes then he would need to be replaced,” Lynch added. “And I don’t think Diomande and Ngumoha are seen as replacements. I would watch that one, it feels like it’s not taking too huge a leap to say it’s a possibility to see Gakpo going and Barcola coming in.”
If Liverpool can get Diomande and Barcola through the door as replacements for Mohamed Salah and Gakpo, fans will already be feeling a whole lot more positive about the upcoming season.
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