Andoni Iraola has admitted he "cannot guarantee anything" regarding Cody Gakpo's future at Liverpool, with the club closing in on the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth £120m.
The Reds have pursued the Frenchman throughout the summer, but PSG's asking price proved a major obstacle. A breakthrough has now been reached in negotiations, although final details are still being discussed. PSG had been demanding around £145m for the France international, who is not a guaranteed starter under Luis Enrique when all options are fit.
Barcola is keen on the move, and the back-to-back Champions League winners appear to have softened their stance on his valuation.
Gakpo's place under threat
Gakpo, signed under Jurgen Klopp, impressed in Liverpool's Premier League opener and scored in the draw at Newcastle. Barcola's arrival could put his starting spot at risk, with Tottenham and Manchester City also interested.
The Dutchman scored only nine times last season, following two successive double-digit campaigns. Despite this, Iraola refused to confirm Gakpo would remain at Anfield beyond this summer.
"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," Iraola said.
"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."
Sarr next on Liverpool shortlist
Liverpool are also pursuing Ismaila Sarr, according to the Independent, after an initial £50m offer was rejected by Crystal Palace. The Reds had recently targeted Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, but the Seagulls rejected their offer, prompting a pivot to Sarr.
The Senegal international can play on the right, an area Liverpool want to strengthen following Mohamed Salah's summer exit.
Adding more attacking quality could create selection dilemmas for Iraola, especially given the club's major investments in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. Barcola would become the club's second most expensive signing ever if the £120m deal goes through.
Hugo Ekitike, currently injured, was the big success of last summer's window but competes with Isak for a position. Even if Gakpo leaves, Liverpool would still have Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz on their books, with Sarr potentially joining the mix alongside Isak, Wirtz, Barcola, Ekitike, Ngumoha and Munoz.
