Liverpool’s head coach Andoni Iraola said he can not guarantee anything regarding striker Cody Gakpo’s future with the club. The Dutch International has received interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
According to ESPN, there haven’t been any club-to-club talks between Liverpool and Gakpo, but the Lilywhites and the Cityzens are keeping a close watch on the situation.
Furthermore, Liverpool is targeting French International and PSG forward Bradley Barcola.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Gakpo scored in Liverpool’s opening game of the season against Newcastle United, which ended in a 2-2 draw and Iraola said the forward is playing well for the team.
“I can say what I said last week, and even after the performance he had in the first game,” Iraola said. “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.
“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.”
Speaking on whether Liverpool are likely to strengthen any other areas of the squad before next week’s transfer deadline, Iraola added: “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 will face Nottm Forest at Anfield on Saturday.
