Transfer Talk – Joao Gomes, Ilya Zabaryni, Curtis Jones & Cody Gakpo | OneFootball

Curtis Jones rejected all on social media about his move to Nottingham Forest ahead of Liverpool’s return to pre-season with Andoni Iraola at Liverpool.

All summer, Jones has been subject to speculation as a result of his contract, which expires at the end of the season. This has included rumours of Inter Milan, Aston Villa and Forest all attempting to sign the 25-year-old from Liverpool on a reduced fee. Ben Jacobs took to X on Sunday night to report Inter Milan’s consideration of ‘a new bid’ despite their failure to reach an agreement on a deal. Inter opened the bidding at €25 million, which Liverpool instantly rejected. Jacobs added that Liverpool are ‘prepared to keep Jones if their €40 million valuation isn’t met from any club, with the possibility of a new deal if he remains at the club following the summer window ‘.

Responding to Anfield Watch’s post on Instagram, Jones appeared equally surprised at the breaking news as the account, replying with a confused-face emoji.

As Jones’ contract enters its final year, it appears as if the club are finally learning from their previous failings regarding the contract situations within the club. Due to their previous reluctance to sell talented players earlier, like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate one year earlier for a higher fee, they both left the club for Real Madrid for very little.

For a period, it appeared inevitable that Jones would sign for the Serie A holders and one-time Champions League winners, Inter Milan, but the club remains firm in their position; they will only sell for their asking price. Following his omission from England’s World Cup squad, Jones’ limited playing time for Liverpool may push him further out the door. The academy graduate started only 18 games in the league last season, and at his age he may see this move to Italy as his chance to establish himself within one of Europe’s elite clubs after seven years as a backup for both Slot and Klopp. If Iraola envisions a different place in the squad for Jones, his future may change at this club.

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Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool future remains uncertain despite Tottenham interest

Cody Gakpo’s future at Liverpool has once again become the subject of transfer speculation, but the latest reports suggest the club are in no rush to part ways with the Dutch international. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Gakpo is one of Tottenham’s priority targets for the left-wing position alongside Manchester City’s Savinho. Despite these reports, Romano also said that Liverpool are not ‘opening the doors to an exit’, suggesting his time at Liverpool will continue for at least one more campaign.

Roberto De Zerbi’s new side have invested heavily after narrowly missing relegation for the second consecutive year, signing Sandro Tonali for £100 million alongside Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka and former Red Andrew Robertson, demonstrating their willingness to spend if the right opportunity becomes available.

Ben Jacobs has also linked Gakpo with Manchester United, highlighting their long-standing interest in the 27-year-old amid all these rumours. United’s interest dates back to the winter of 2022 when United explored the possibility of securing the Dutchman on their left wing, but Liverpool swept in to sign him for £37 million.

Regardless, with the exception of Luis Diaz, Liverpool do not typically sanction an exit without plans for a replacement. The Reds are yet to find a successor for Mohamed Salah on the right, whilst Hugo Ekitike’s long-term injury leaves the squad with reduced options up front.

Gakpo himself remains an important member of the first-team squad. Although he has faced criticism for inconsistent performances at times, his versatility across the front line continues to make him a valuable option. Comfortable on the left and capable of operating through the middle, the Netherlands international offers tactical flexibility that few players in the squad can replicate and following a solid tournament in the World Cup, Gakpo will be hoping to replicate his performances for Andoni Iraola.

At present, Cody Gakpo will rejoin the team during their pre-season tour in the US later this month following the Netherlands’ exit from the World Cup, where they bowed out in the round of 32, losing to Morocco on penalties.

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Liverpool monitoring Wolves midfielder João Gomes

Reports from Brazil suggest Liverpool are interested in the Brazilian international amid speculation around the futures of midfielders Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Trey Nyoni.

The 25-year-old was expected to move to Atletico Madrid following Wolves’ relegation from the Premier League last season before a falling out with agent Jorge Mendes saw the deal collapse.

The proposed deal was worth a reported £34 million before negotiations collapsed. Now Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reports that Liverpool, alongside Premier League rivals Manchester United, have both made contact with Wolves regarding Gomes. Alongside this report, ESPN’s Felipe Silva has reported that Liverpool are ‘looking’ at Gomes when replying to a comment on X. If Liverpool wish to pursue this deal, it could save funds for deals across the pitch that are needed to help fulfil Iraola’s vision for the club.

Last season, Gomes was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing Wolves side that saw them destined for relegation, and his performances did not go unnoticed by the fans and his teammates. Gomes was awarded Wolves’ best player of the season by both.

Gomes was also previously interested in a move to Merseyside, telling ESPN in 2022 whilst playing for Flamengo, ‘Liverpool are a team I’d play for. I have the greatest desire to play.’ Subsequently, Gomes moved to Wolves, where he has made 130 appearances, averaging a 7.0 match rating in three of his four seasons at Molineux on FotMob.

Cherries reunion imminent at Anfield?

Just a year after joining Paris Saint-Germain, Ilya Zabaryni may already be on the move away from the French capital following tensions within the dressing room. Reports suggest PSG have sought to minimise tensions within the dressing room following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine between the defender and goalkeeper Matvey Safonov. The two intentionally avoid handshakes and physical contact in training whilst maintaining a strictly professional, cold relationship. Speaking to the press in September, Zabarnyi named the Russians as the “aggressors”, a label the Russian goalkeeper refused to comment on publicly.

This has created an opportunity for clubs across Europe and one which Liverpool are currently exploring, with talks beginning over a potential move. Rumours began to circulate when DaveOCKOP first reported that a proposal was made with his representatives. During this, Dave reported that the Ukrainian would be “open to a move away from Paris”, despite Marquinhos’ age, which would offer a pathway into the European champions’ side.

Reportedly, Liverpool have offered a loan arrangement with the option to buy the 23-year-old for a price between €40-45 million. Understandably, PSG would prefer not to let the defender go for less than the €63 million they purchased him for, just twelve months after signing him. PSG would also opt for a straight permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy at €60 million.

Zabaryni was a crucial part of Andoni’s Bournemouth team, playing 86 times for the Cherries across his two and a half seasons at the club. Alongside Dean Huijsen, the two earned moves to two of Europe’s biggest sides as a result of their fantastic performances, and now Liverpool may be in need of defensive cover; his profile would appear to suit Iraola’s system.

With Iraola himself seeing Geovanni Leoni as a “long-term” solution to our defensive problems and Joe Gomez’s recent injury record, the reliable international would strengthen Liverpool’s defensive depth. Another defender with the same label as Leoni was Conor Bradley, the Northern Ireland captain who has also been injury-stricken throughout his career. Zabaryni himself has also been used as a right back, offering a more defensively conscious right back in place of the attacking-minded full-back Jeremy Frimpong.

Redmen Reacts

Whilst the window has gone somewhat quiet following the Victor Munoz arrival and subsequent Yan Diomande mega bid, Liverpool are undoubtedly still hard at work in order to ensure there are new arrivals for Andoni Iraola to work with, something the Basque manager more or less confirmed himself in his first press conference. 

Therefore, the familiarity of a Zabaryni reunion certainly appeals, as does the midfield steel of Gomes, both far more than the unwarranted departure of Jones. As for Gakpo, albeit somewhat of a disappointment were the Dutch forward to leave this summer, there is undoubtedly a price at which Riches Hughes would allow the exit to happen.