Liverpool's Transfer Window: Elliott to Valencia, Gakpo Targeted by Man City
Liverpool’s transfer window is starting to look like a high‑wire act without a safety net – and two more attackers could be about to step off the rope.
Elliott pushes for Valencia switch
Harvey Elliott, once talked up as a long-term piece of Liverpool’s future, is closing in on the exit door again. After a flat loan spell at Aston Villa last season, the midfielder has slipped further down Andoni Iraola’s pecking order and is now on the verge of a move to Valencia.
Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto first broke the news that Valencia were “negotiating” for Elliott and that optimism was growing. Crucially, he revealed 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.
The story has gathered pace quickly. Fabrizio Romano has now backed it up, reporting that Elliott has agreed personal terms with Valencia after “positive talks” and that negotiations between the clubs are underway to finalise the deal. Romano previously confirmed that Valencia had made an official approach and that Elliott had three proposals on the table, with the Spanish club pushing hardest to beat the competition.
If completed, it will be another body out of an already thin Liverpool squad.
Barcola in, questions everywhere else
Liverpool’s summer has been anything but straightforward. Their long chase of PSG winger Bradley Barcola is finally set to deliver, with the Frenchman expected to arrive at Anfield in a deal worth £100m plus add-ons.
Barcola will become the club’s fourth signing of the window, following Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz. On paper, that sounds like a rebuild. In reality, the squad still looks light.
Iraola is working with limited numbers and, as things stand, Liverpool still look short of another forward, a midfielder and potentially a right-back with the deadline looming. The sense that the head coach is being left exposed will only grow if more attackers leave without swift replacements.
Which is where Cody Gakpo comes in.
Man City turn up heat on Gakpo
While Elliott edges towards Spain, Cody Gakpo is being pulled towards Manchester. Journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that Manchester City are “pushing to agree a deal” to sign the Dutch forward and that he has become their “top target” after the departures of Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
City need attacking reinforcements. They have allowed Savio and Marmoush to join Tottenham, leaving them light in those areas, and Gakpo has moved to the top of their list.
O’Rourke admitted the pursuit is a surprise, but pointed out that Gakpo has already been heavily tracked by Tottenham this summer, with Spurs showing the most “concrete interest” up to now. City’s move shifts the dynamic completely, and places Liverpool in an awkward position: cash in on a valuable asset or risk strengthening a direct rival’s forward line.
With Barcola incoming but Elliott close to Valencia and City circling Gakpo, Liverpool’s attacking puzzle is changing by the day. The window is ticking down. How much more upheaval can Iraola’s side absorb before the season’s shape is set?
