Cody Gakpo is claimed to have agreed personal terms on a move to Tottenham Hotspur as Liverpool press ahead with plans to reshape their forward line.
Liverpool's summer upheaval
It has been a summer of considerable upheaval at Anfield. The Reds confirmed back in March that Mohamed Salah would draw the curtain on his illustrious career at the end of last season while Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson both left on free transfers. On top of that, manager Arne Slot was replaced by Andoni Iraola in the dugout at the end of May.
Liverpool are yet to make a decisive move for Salah's long-term replacement, though Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain has emerged as their leading target even though he is a left winger. With Liverpool also keen admirers of Barcola's PSG team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye for the right wing, it appears Gakpo could be headed for the exit door after he struck an agreement with Spurs.
Spurs' spending spree
Dutch outlet Voetbal International even claims that an agreement on personal terms has already been reached, with both clubs and the player himself 'counting on a positive resolution'. Tottenham's pursuit of the Dutchman has been widely reported throughout the summer as they continue a sweeping squad rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi.
Spurs have already splashed out considerably in the transfer window following their narrow escape from Premier League relegation on the final day of last season, with deals for Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke totalling approximately £237m. They are also expected to make a move for Manchester City winger Savinho ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.
Liverpool's forward plans
Liverpool have brought in just one new forward this summer, having beaten Newcastle to secure Osasuna winger Victor Munoz for £34.5m. He operates mainly on the left flank but can operate on the right, while Rio Ngumoha is set to be handed a more prominent role this campaign after impressing with eye-catching cameo appearances last season.
Recent reports claimed Liverpool were putting their pursuit of Barcola on hold, given PSG's lofty valuation of the 23-year-old. It has been reported PSG will accept no less than £145m to allow the Frenchman to leave.
But PSG have just finalised a £48m deal to bring Ajax winger, Mika Godts, to Paris which could well suggest that the French club are already making arrangements for a future without Barcola. The Champions League winners have already signed French forward Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco for £42m and spent a similar fee to recruit Ferran Torres from Barcelona a few weeks after the Spaniard scored the World Cup-winning goal for his country in the United States.
That would indicate Liverpool can be hopeful of snatching at least one of, if not both, Barcola and Mbaye this month.
