Bradley Barcola’s move might set off a chain reaction at Liverpool, as Iraola finally speaks out.
Andoni Iraola has responded to the news that Liverpool may have finally agreed a deal for Bradley Barcola, leaving Cody Gakpo’s future a bit unclear.
After being linked with Paris Saint-Germain star Barcola all summer, it looks like Liverpool could soon welcome the talented forward. While nothing is official yet, reports say the fee could be around £100 million plus £20 million in bonuses. It’s only a matter of time before the club makes an announcement.
If the deal goes through, Barcola would be Liverpool’s second most expensive signing ever, just behind last summer’s £130 million signing of Alexander Isak. He’s expected to step right into a starting role under Iraola.
When asked about the deal, Iraola stayed cautious and didn’t confirm anything. He said, “We’re trying to sign for that position, but we can’t talk about players who aren’t ours yet. We want to improve and add depth because we don’t have enough players. Hopefully, we’ll have good news soon, but we’re not there yet.”
The Basque coach added, “I don’t know what will happen yet. I have to be patient. When September 2 comes, that’s who we have and what options we have to work with. For now, I’ve shared with the club what I want since the start. It’s about finalizing deals. We do need players on the wings for sure, and maybe we can improve other areas too, but the market is unpredictable. I’m as uncertain as you are. It’s uncomfortable not knowing, but in a few days we’ll see what we have and can plan properly.”
This deal would kick off what should be a busy few days for Liverpool before the transfer window closes on September 1, with at least one more signing expected soon.
It’s not just about players coming in. Barcola’s arrival might mean Cody Gakpo could be leaving. Gakpo, who scored Liverpool’s first goal of the season in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle, has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur all summer. Since Barcola would likely take Gakpo’s spot as the starting left-winger, Gakpo might consider moving on.
Iraola said about Gakpo, “After his performance in the first game, I can only say he’s playing really well for us. He’s been great since returning from the World Cup, with the right attitude. I hope he stays at that level. He can be very important for us. But with the market open and expensive players coming in, I can’t guarantee anything. I don’t know what will happen. Experience shows sometimes deals happen at the last minute.”
If Gakpo does leave, Liverpool would probably want around £75 million for him. However, with Spurs recently spending big on Savinho and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City for a combined £145 million, they might decide not to pursue Gakpo after all.