The £70 Million Question: Nobody's Talking About Cody Gakpo's Real Problem at Liverpool

Alright, Seattle fam, grab your coffee because this one's wild. You heard the whispers, right? Cody Gakpo, the guy who's supposed to be a core piece for Liverpool, was reportedly trying to bail out of Anfield. But hold up, a top journalist just dropped an update that flips the script: Liverpool actually isn't 'actively looking to sell' him! This whole saga is getting twisted faster than a Mariners doubleheader in April, and it tells us a lot about what's *really* going on.

Liverpool's Stance and the £70M Price Tag

So, here's the deal from Ben Jacobs, who hit up X with the latest. Despite those earlier reports from the Netherlands saying the 27-year-old handed in a transfer request because he 'does not see a future' after Arne Slot got the boot, Jacobs says Gakpo hasn't told Liverpool directly that he wants out. Clubs in Italy and even Bayern from last summer have apparently shown interest, with other European teams getting 'made aware' of his situation. But Liverpool's position? They're 'not actively looking to sell.' That's a strong statement, and it throws a wrench into the whole narrative we were hearing. However, and this is where it gets interesting, Liverpool is looking at the £70 million Barcelona just shelled out to Newcastle for Anthony Gordon as a benchmark. Yeah, you read that right: seventy million pounds for a valuation. Gakpo is locked up until 2030, which gives Liverpool all the leverage. So while they aren't exactly pushing him out the door, if an 'irresistible offer' comes in, especially one around that £70m mark, you gotta wonder if they'd be tempted. It's a huge number, and in this market, you can't ignore that kind of cash.

What Gakpo's Underwhelming Season Actually Means

Let's be real, the 2025/26 season wasn't exactly Gakpo's finest hour. Nine goals in 52 games? By his standards, that's pretty underwhelming, and it definitely makes you raise an eyebrow. But here's the thing: he's still an important part of that squad. The problem is, with Andoni Iraola now in charge, there's a real chance Gakpo could lose his regular starting spot to Rio Ngumoha. That's a huge hit for any player, and it could be why he's privately assessing his options, even if he hasn't officially asked for a move. Liverpool's also in a tough spot with their forwards. Mo Salah is gone, Hugo Ekitike is out with an ongoing injury, and there are still major questions about Alexander Isak's fitness after his stop-start debut campaign. They're worryingly thin up front. So, while Gakpo might fetch a sizable transfer fee, especially if they can get near that £70m mark even though he's a couple years older than Gordon and his stock has fallen, do they *really* want to jettison a senior forward right now? Unless Gakpo is absolutely desperate to leave, or a crazy offer comes in, keeping him around and hoping Iraola can unleash his potential might be their best bet. It's a massive decision for the club, and the stakes for the season couldn't be higher.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.