Andoni Iraola ready to take massive Cody Gakpo transfer decision | OneFootball

Liverpool are making big changes to their frontline this summer.

Mohamed Salah officially leaves once his contract expires on June 30 - after reaching an agreement with the club to rip up his £400k per week deal one year early.

The Egyptian King, 34, is expected to be joined in the departure lounge by Federico Chiesa - with interest in the Italian winger hotting up in Serie A.

The outgoing Premier League champions are clearing the decks for a couple of new wingers.

Gakpo sacrificed for new wingers?

Victor Munoz has already arrived on a €40m deal from Osasuna while Yan Diomande and Yankuba Minteh are also in the frame to come in.

One other Liverpool attacker linked with the exit in order to facilitate new faces is Cody Gakpo. The 27-year-old agreed a bumper new long-term contract last year worth around £250k per week.

Following a poor season individually and collectively it was thought that Richard Hughes would be willing to listen to offers for the Netherlands international.

Tottenham and Atletico Madrid are among the teams thought to be interested in Gakpo with new Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi reportedly reaching out for club-to-club talks.

Iraola to give Gakpo a chance

Right now however the deal is going to be put on ice according to a couple of fresh reports as new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola prepares to greet his players.

“Liverpool have yet to make a decision on Gakpo's immediate place in the squad with new boss Iraola continuing to assess his playing staff,” reads a report in the Liverpool Echo.

That heavily suggests that Gakpo will be given the chance to impress his new manager following the departure of Arne Slot - who heavily favoured Gakpo on the left wing over Rio Ngumoha.

The second report - in Football Insider - claims that the Reds WOULD do a deal for Gakpo this summer but only for an offer that was too good to turn down.

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Gakpo to Tottenham deal put on ice

Gakpo in their eyes will have the opportunity to prove himself before the 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off under Iraola.

“Liverpool will only consider selling winger Cody Gakpo this summer if a "big offer" comes in,” the report reads.

“Andoni Iraola is keen to give Gakpo the chance to shine next term, with a place on the wing open after Mohamed Salah's departure.

“Iraola's arrival in the dugout is expected to give every player the chance to impress in the coming months, and Gakpo will already have his eye on bigger responsibility.”

Gakpo - currently starring at the FIFA World Cup for the Oranje - arrived at Anfield from PSV in January 2023. He won the title under Slot in 2024/25 but suffered a drop-off in last season’s campaign.

Liverpool are genuinely short of left-wing quality and so it would make sense to keep Gakpo around at least until Iraola figures out his options going forward.