The Athletic reported that Gakpo was considered one of Liverpool's most likely players to be sold, but with the new season underway and difficulties in signing new forwards, his importance has increased rapidly. Liverpool's stance is now clear: they will not let Gakpo leave unless they sign two more forwards before the transfer window closes.

Liverpool's position is firm. Unless they sign two more forwards in the next six days, Liverpool will not sell Gakpo to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, or any other club. Liverpool also held important discussions about Barcola on Tuesday, and Minte is also on their scouting list. This deal is not entirely impossible, but it would be very difficult to execute and make workable.

Without new arrivals, it is simply impossible for Liverpool to consider further weakening their attacking line by letting Gakpo leave. Since his return from the World Cup, he has silenced some skeptics and scored in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Newcastle United.

Imagine how Liverpool would look without him against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. But before the ball rolls, how many Liverpool fans would support his departure?

Even if some don't see it that way, if the transfer deadline had been moved to before the start of preseason, there wouldn't have been too many disappointed fans, since Gakpo's performance last season was not ideal.

As Liverpool gradually lost momentum in the second half of the 2023-24 season, this forward was also seen as the easiest player to move on from this summer. Several aspects of his game were particularly criticized. Gakpo too often attempted the same move, cutting inside and opening his body for a shot, but often without success; in the process, he sometimes missed the runs of the overlapping left-back. There was a time when it seemed his form had declined beyond recovery, and his departure looked very reasonable when matches truly began.

But now he cannot be sold, because unless a series of signings are made, he is too important to the team's makeup, especially with Hugo Ekitike injured. Even with two more forwards, some believe Gakpo remains important because he can play in multiple positions. As Ferguson repeatedly emphasized during his time at Manchester United, there is no need to worry about having too many goal scorers in the squad, and Gakpo's 33 goals in 128 Premier League appearances are not bad at all for a left winger.

If his excellent form this summer is not enough to demonstrate his value, then strengthening competitors is, of course, also a factor. Although neither of the two interested Premier League clubs has officially contacted Liverpool, the situation could still change, and with many deals still being discussed in the final days of the transfer window, there are still many variables.

This summer has been quite chaotic. Manchester City lost their Ballon d'Or midfielder Rodri, Chelsea signed two players born in the 1990s, Tottenham Hotspur continues to invest heavily, and Aston Villa watches painfully as their most successful squad in over 30 years slowly falls apart.

Closing the transfer window before the season starts doesn't solve all problems, but it could at least help Barcola and his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Ousmane Dembélé, who is also a Liverpool target. Logically, they should have already been playing for their respective clubs by this point.

As a result, both missed the UEFA Super Cup, the Champions Trophy, and the start of Ligue 1 with their futures uncertain. Both could be transferred and make up for lost time, but the situation is somewhat complicated. The same applies to Liverpool's late push in the transfer market, at least until the next step becomes clear.

Liverpool has known since March that Salah would leave, but a replacement on the right wing still hasn't arrived. In the first league match, two left-footed players appeared in that position, first Rio Ngumoha, then Jota. Both are very talented, but are better suited to play on the other side.

Barcola also prefers the left, but if an agreement is reached on the transfer fee, a right-winger could solve the shortage on the right. Frankly, too many options on the left would make it easier for Gakpo to leave, but now is not the time. Not when he remains the biggest goal threat, and not when other high-priced signings have taken much longer than expected to settle in.

Liverpool needs stability in attack, and despite many problems last season, perhaps Gakpo is the one who can provide it.

Traducido por IA.

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