Liverpool star in transfer limbo as Reds close out Barcola deal

Liverpool star Cody Gakpo in transfer limbo: Spurs, Man City or Reds stay? Make us your Google favourite Liverpool are closing in on their biggest transfer of the summer as Bradley Barcola prepares to arrive from PSG, but the move threatens to throw Cody Gakpo into a state of limbo this season. After prolonged negotiations, the Anfield club are closing in on a move for the France winger. An initial fee in the region of €116 million has been agreed, with a further €25m potentially heading to Parc des Princes thereafter by way of bonus payments. Barcola’s arrival at Liverpool threatens to cause a logjam on the left wing, with Andoni Iraola’s squad now stacked with players who prefer to operate in that role. Foremost among these is Cody Gakpo, who had been linked with a move to Tottenham before Roberto De Zerbi’s club swooped to sign Savio in an €88m from Manchester City . According to transfer insider Nicolo Schira , Spurs remain a potential option for the Dutchman, who has also caught the eye of City. However, the Reds have not decided if he’s up for sale. “Liverpool have not decided Cody Gakpo’s future year,” Schira tweeted. “The Dutch winger has been Roberto De Zerbi’s main target for Tottenham since June, but Manchester City have also shown interest in him and talked with his agents this week. “It’s up to Liverpool to decide what to do.” Cody Gakpo’s complicated transfer situation Given the volume of options that Iraola has on the left – Barcola, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha – it would be a logical move for Liverpool to sell. However, this may depend on the Reds also finding a right winger before the close of the transfer market. Iraola’s options on that flank are far less. Munoz is expected to ultimately play the role but could use support given he has no previous experience of playing twice a week – much less at a club of Liverpool’s size. Barcola is expected to arrive and be the first-choice option on the left, yet he featured off the right during his Lyon days and could act as Munoz’s alternate. In turn, this would free up the left for Gakpo to have game time. Ibrahim Mbaye, Barcola’s team-mate at PSG, continues to be linked with a switch to Anfield that is expected to take place before the transfer deadline, which would free up Gakpo to leave. However, this is dependent on Liverpool being able to agree a fee with either Spurs or Man City, neither of whom is crying out for another winger. Of all the transfer business still to be done at Anfield, Gakpo’s case is the most complicated. It is the one in which there are the most moving parts, involving multiple players across multiple clubs.