Liverpool F.C. Have ruled out selling Cody Gakpo in the final days of the transfer window unless they complete two attacking signings first. The club's stance has hardened following the Dutch forward's strong start to the new Premier League campaign.
Before the season began, Gakpo was viewed as a potential sale to help fund other moves. His form had dipped in the closing months of the 2025-26 season, and some critics pointed to a predictable tendency to cut inside and shoot. But his importance to the squad is now undeniable. He scored in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on the opening weekend, a result that leaves Liverpool 10th in the table with one point from one game. With two goals scored and two conceded, the team sits two points behind early leaders Brighton. Gakpo has silenced many doubters since returning from the World Cup and provides crucial versatility across the front line. He has 33 goals in 128 Premier League appearances for the club.
The need for stability up front is acute. Liverpool have known since March that Mohamed Salah was leaving, and they still have no direct right-sided replacement. On the opening day, left-sided wingers Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz were deployed on the right, a role where their talents are less evident. This shortage makes Gakpo, the squad's biggest current goal threat, indispensable. The situation is compounded by Hugo Ekitike's injury. Selling Gakpo now would weaken the forward line without any guarantee of adequate reinforcements. No interested Premier League club, including Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester City, has made formal contact with Liverpool about a transfer.
To even consider a Gakpo sale, the club would need a flurry of incoming activity. Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh are on Liverpool's radar. The club held key talks about Barcola on Tuesday, though the player favours the left side. Minteh could specifically solve the right-side shortage if a fee can be agreed. Both Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye have missed competitive matches for their current clubs amid uncertain futures. Other big-money signings have taken longer than expected to settle at Anfield, a factor that increases the risk of a late, disruptive change.
A well-respected agent with decades of experience recently suggested the summer window should close before the season starts. This change would avoid the awkward situations faced last season by Newcastle United, Brentford and Aston Villa, where players like Alexander Isak were unavailable due to transfer noise. It would give new signings a full season to adapt. Sir Alex Ferguson once noted that "there was never a concern about having too many players who can score goals in the squad." Liverpool currently need all the goal threats they can get as they prepare for their next fixtures, starting with a home game against Nottingham Forest on August 29th. Forest are currently 15th in the standings. Closing the window early wouldn't solve every problem, but it would provide more certainty for clubs and players alike during the competitive phase of the season.
