Liverpool Transfer News: Elliott to Valencia and Gakpo Targeted by Man City
Liverpool’s transfer window is creaking towards its climax, and the exits are starting to line up.
Harvey Elliott is on the brink of leaving Anfield for Valencia, while Cody Gakpo has emerged as a live target for Manchester City in a late twist to a chaotic summer on Merseyside.
Elliott pushes for Valencia switch
After a flat loan spell at Aston Villa and with his route to regular minutes blocked, Elliott is set to move again – this time abroad.
Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto first revealed that Valencia are closing in on the Liverpool midfielder, reporting that the La Liga club are negotiating a deal and that “there is optimism between the parties.” He added that Elliott has already spoken directly with Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola and asked to join Valencia, with talks between the clubs “very advanced” over a loan move.
The pressure on Liverpool’s squad has only sharpened the 21-year-old’s decision. Elliott remains down the pecking order, and with Andoni Iraola working with a thin group, Liverpool are preparing to trim numbers even further before the window shuts.
Fabrizio Romano has since backed up the Valencia move, going a step further by confirming an agreement on the player’s side. Romano reported that Elliott has agreed personal terms with Valencia after “positive talks,” and that negotiations are now ongoing between the clubs to finalise the loan.
Romano also revealed that Valencia have made an official approach to Liverpool and that Elliott has three proposals on the table, with the Spanish side pushing hard to beat the competition as they continue talks with the player’s camp and Liverpool.
If completed, Elliott’s switch would see him become the latest departure from a club still scrambling to reshape its attack and midfield.
Barcola in, but questions mount
Liverpool’s window has been turbulent. Their long-running chase of PSG winger Bradley Barcola is finally set to pay off, with the Frenchman expected to join for £100m plus add-ons.
Barcola will be the fourth major arrival of the summer after Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz. Even so, the squad still looks light. Liverpool arguably still need another forward, a midfielder and possibly a right-back in the coming days.
That imbalance has left Iraola exposed. With more exits looming and little time left, the head coach is being asked to navigate a gruelling season with a group that, on paper, looks short.
And one of the next big decisions could concern Cody Gakpo.
Man City move on to Gakpo
Just as Liverpool fans were digesting the Elliott news, Gakpo’s name surfaced at the top of Manchester City’s attacking shortlist.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that City are “pushing to agree a deal” for the Dutch forward, describing him as their “top target” after the departures of Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
O’Rourke admitted the move would raise eyebrows, calling it “a surprise that City are actively considering a move for Cody Gakpo,” but pointed out that Pep Guardiola’s side need attacking reinforcements after allowing Savio and Marmoush to join Tottenham and leaving themselves light in those areas.
Gakpo’s situation is made even more intriguing by Tottenham’s long-term interest. O’Rourke noted that Spurs have been the club showing the “most concrete interest” in the Netherlands international throughout the summer window.
So Liverpool find themselves in a familiar position: key suitors circling their forwards, a marquee attacking signing incoming, and a head coach waiting to see what kind of squad he will actually have when the window finally slams shut.
