Andoni Iraola responds as Liverpool 'agree deal for Bradley Barcola' amid Cody Gakpo future update | OneFootball

Merseysiders expecting hectic end to the transfer window

Andoni Iraola said he is hoping for good news in the near future amid reports Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Bradley Barcola.

The Reds have been in talks to sign the Paris Saint-Germain winger for quite some time, but finally seem to have hit a breakthrough, with reports claiming they have struck a £120m agreement with the European champions.

Provided the deal goes through, the France international will arrive as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, bolstering Liverpool’s thin forward options.

Iraola, though, would not be drawn when asked for an update on negotiations, simply saying the Reds needed to add depth on the wings.

Asked his thoughts on the Barcola deal, he said: “As you know, we are trying to sign in that position. We can't talk about players who right now aren't ours. But we are trying to improve and fill that position as we don't have the numbers. I hope we have good news soon but we are still not there.”

Anfield bound? Bradley Barcola is reportedly set for a move to Merseyside

London Standard

The Basque continued: “I don't know what's going to happen (before the transfer deadline). Even myself, I have to be patient.

“Then we get to September 2, this is who we have and the options we have, then we can start thinking.

“For now we don't know. I have in my head what I want, we've been talking since the beginning with the club, they know what we want. It's about closing the deals.

“We are probably down a player in some positions due to long-term injuries and those have been our main issues.

“There are certain things we can but it's true we need players in the wide areas. I'm sure if we can improve other areas we will but I don't know how the market is going to finish.

“I have to be patient as well as you. It's very uncomfortable for me as you are dealing with uncertainties all the time. In four or five days we will know what we have and then we can make proper plans.”

While Iraola is working on new signings, he also stands to lose Cody Gakpo, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham.

The Spaniard said he could not promise the Dutchman would still be at Anfield by the time the transfer window closes: “After the performance he had in first game I say the same, he's playing very well for us. He's been very good since he's been back from World Cup. The right attitude and I hope we can keep him at that level.

“He can be very influential on us. When the market is open and we bring in expensive players, I cannot guarantee anything. But I don't know.

“Our players, I cannot guarantee anything about how many we are going to sign or whatever. Experience tells us that if there's an opportunity the last day you can do something.”