Liverpool's Transfer Window: Elliott to Valencia and Gakpo's Future
Liverpool’s transfer window, already tense and uneven, is lurching into an even more precarious phase.
With a week left to reshape a thin squad, two attacking options could be heading for the exit. One of them has already picked his next destination.
Elliott chooses Valencia as Liverpool’s squad thins
Harvey Elliott, once earmarked as a long-term Anfield project, is closing in on a move to Valencia after slipping down the pecking order and enduring an underwhelming loan spell at Aston Villa last season.
Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto first set the tone, revealing that Valencia were “negotiating” for the midfielder and that optimism was growing. Crucially, Elliott has already spoken directly with head coach Andoni Iraola and, according to Moretto, has asked to join the La Liga side. The deal on the table is a loan, and talks between the clubs are described as “very advanced”.
The player’s stance is clear. He wants to go and he wants Valencia.
Fabrizio Romano has now underlined that direction of travel. He reports that Elliott has agreed personal terms with Valencia after positive talks, with negotiations ongoing between the Spanish club and Liverpool to finalise the club-to-club agreement. Romano also notes that Valencia made an official approach and that Elliott had three proposals on the table, with the Spanish club pushing hardest to beat the competition.
For Iraola, operating with what many see as an under-resourced Liverpool squad, it is another body potentially out of the door at a time when numbers already look stretched.
Barcola in, questions everywhere else
Liverpool have at least landed one marquee attacking signing. Their long chase of Bradley Barcola is finally set to pay off, with the PSG winger heading to Anfield for £100m plus add-ons. He will become the club’s fourth summer arrival after Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.
It is a huge outlay. It does not solve everything.
The squad still looks light. Another forward, a midfielder and possibly a right-back are all being discussed as needs rather than luxuries. The sense around the club is that Iraola is being asked to navigate a gruelling season with a group that feels incomplete.
And as Barcola prepares to walk through the door, another attacker could be preparing to walk out.
Man City turn to Gakpo
Cody Gakpo, signed to be part of Liverpool’s next attacking era, is now at the centre of serious interest from Manchester City.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that City are “pushing to agree a deal” for the Dutch forward and that he has emerged as their “top target” after the departures of Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham left Pep Guardiola’s side short in attacking areas.
O’Rourke admitted the move would raise eyebrows, describing it as a surprise that City are actively considering a move for Gakpo. Tottenham, he pointed out, have been the club showing the “most concrete interest” in the player throughout the summer window, only for City to now move with intent.
If Liverpool lose Gakpo on top of sending Elliott out, the attacking reshuffle becomes more than a tweak. It becomes a gamble.
Barcola’s arrival offers excitement and upside. The rest of the picture looks far less settled. With the clock ticking and rivals circling their players, Liverpool are running out of time to prove this is a coherent plan rather than the start of a long, uneasy season.
