Now or never: Liverpool star's final chance to stop blockbuster £87m transfer | OneFootball

There's a massive summer ahead for many Liverpool players. Again.

Last summer was a massive one, too, as the Reds overhauled their squad. Over £400m went out and over £200m came in. It was supposed to set things up for the future and yet here we are, one season later, know that we might see another major window.

Some players who appeared set in their positions now face being replaced and that includes some who signed contracts within the last 12 months. Cody Gakpo, for instance, faces a gigantic window.

Gakpo signed a new contract earlier this season and it was one that should have made him the main man on Liverpool's left flank. However, a disappointing campaign leaves Liverpool wanting to invest further in their attack and notably on the left wing.

Bradley Barcola, Yan Diomande, Anthony Gordon...

A series of left-wingers have been linked with big-money moves. Teamtalk is among those pointing out that both Barcola and Diomande would cost £87m (€100m).

And so Gakpo is up against it here. Liverpool are only paying that money for a first-choice player and that means replacing Gakpo on the flank.

Thus the Dutchman has just one more match to offer a reminder to the club of what he can do. One more match before the transfer window where he can perhaps offer a little bit of doubt into the minds of decision makers over spending that kind of money.

Maybe they could instead spend it on the other flank. Or on a central player. Or on absolutely anything else.

It would take an almighty display, of course, but what else can Gakpo do? It sounds as though he's going to lose his place at Liverpool - unless he can force a second thought.

Cody Gakpo: Situation Summary

Liverpool Performance and Stats

As of 19 May 2026, Cody Gakpo is enduring a difficult period at Anfield amid widespread squad frustration. The 27-year-old Dutch forward has been a regular under Arne Slot this season, making 51 appearances across all competitions and scoring nine goals. However, his Premier League return stands at just seven goals and five assists in 35 appearances, leading to criticism over his consistency against settled defences. He recently scored in a 3–2 defeat to Manchester United on 3 May but struggled in a subsequent 4–2 loss at Aston Villa.

Transfer Rumours and Exit Greenlit

Reports from 12 May indicate that Liverpool have "greenlit" Gakpo's sale ahead of the summer transfer window. Despite signing a contract extension last August that placed him among the club's top earners at £250,000 a week, the hierarchy is ready to cut ties to fund a squad overhaul. Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche has been earmarked as a potential £43 million replacement.