Liverpool's Transfer Window: Elliott to Valencia, Gakpo for Man City
Liverpool’s transfer window, already fraught with tension and unanswered questions, is veering into even choppier waters as Harvey Elliott closes in on a move to Valencia and Cody Gakpo emerges as a serious target for Manchester City.
All this while a £100m swing for Bradley Barcola looms in the background.
Elliott pushes for Spain as Valencia move nears
Harvey Elliott’s Liverpool career has stalled. After an underwhelming loan at Aston Villa last season, he has slipped further down Andoni Iraola’s pecking order, and now the exit door is wide open.
Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto first set the tone, revealing that Valencia are closing in on the midfielder. He reported that Elliott has already spoken directly with Iraola and asked to join the La Liga side, with talks between the clubs “very advanced” over a loan move.
The player has options. According to Moretto, Elliott has three proposals on the table, but Valencia are working aggressively to win the race, in contact with both the player’s camp and Liverpool.
The pressure has now been cranked up by Fabrizio Romano. The transfer specialist reports that Elliott has already agreed personal terms with Valencia after positive talks, with negotiations ongoing between the clubs to finalise the deal.
Valencia have made an official approach. Elliott wants the move. Liverpool and the Spanish club are now working on the final details of what is expected to be a loan.
For a manager already operating with a thin squad, it is another body potentially walking out of the door.
Barcola the headline buy, but gaps remain
Liverpool’s summer business has been anything but straightforward. The club have chased Bradley Barcola for much of the window and are finally on the brink of landing the PSG winger in a deal worth £100m plus add-ons.
Barcola will be the fourth arrival of the summer, following Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz. On paper, that looks like a strong injection of talent.
In reality, it still feels incomplete.
Liverpool arguably need at least one more forward, a midfielder and possibly a right-back before the window shuts. Iraola, trying to impose his ideas with limited numbers, cuts the figure of a head coach being asked to make do while others around him strengthen.
And as Barcola prepares to come in, Elliott is edging out. He may not be the last.
Man City turn to Gakpo after attacking exits
Just as Liverpool brace for Elliott’s departure, another key story is gathering pace: Cody Gakpo to Manchester City.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that City are “pushing to agree a deal” for the Dutch forward, who has emerged as their top attacking target after the exits of Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham.
City need reinforcements in the final third. They have lost two attacking options, and Gakpo has quickly risen to the top of their list.
O’Rourke admits the move would raise eyebrows, describing it as a surprise that City are actively considering a swoop for Gakpo. Tottenham have tracked him closely all summer and, according to O’Rourke, have shown the most concrete interest in the player until now.
If City decide to accelerate, that landscape changes fast.
Liverpool’s window was supposed to be about adding quality around a new core. Instead, with Elliott eyeing Valencia and City circling Gakpo, it now carries a sharper question: can Iraola build a contender while key pieces are walking away?
