Liverpool chase right‑wing replacement as Gakpo exit looms

Liverpool face a pressing need for a right‑wing replacement after Cody Gakpo has agreed to join Manchester City, leaving a void beside Mohamed Salah as the transfer window closes on Tuesday. The Reds have already secured Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain, a deal expected to be finalised within 24 hours, but his arrival does not fill the right‑side gap.

Barcola signing and financial outlay

Bradley Barcola’s move will cost Liverpool a fee that will eventually hit £123 million, making it the second‑largest transfer in the club’s history. The French forward is a left‑sided attacker, but Liverpool hope his dynamism will translate to the right flank and free up space for Gakpo’s departure.

Gakpo’s exit and the replacement imperative

Cody Gakpo has surprisingly said yes to a move to Manchester City, and Enzo Maresca’s side have struck a deal worth around £80 million for the Dutch striker – an offer the Reds could not refuse. Liverpool have made it clear they will only sanction the transfer if a top‑quality right‑winger is secured before the window shuts.

Winger targets and remaining hurdles

Liverpool are targeting both Ismaila Sarr and Yankuba Minteh as potential right‑wing replacements for Salah. Reported fees range from £50 million for a Crystal Palace proposal for Sarr, £55 million for Jeremy Jacquet, up to £123 million for Bradley Barcola. has echoed the view that Sarr’s desire to leave Crystal Palace is genuine.

Ismaila Sarr has told Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish that he wants to join the Reds, but the club have a contract with him until 2029 and have so far refused to sell, citing an injury and the difficulty of breaking a three‑year deal.

Yankuba Minteh remains Liverpool’s preferred option, with Brighton setting an £80 million asking price. Two bids have already been turned down, and coach Andoni Iraola has publicly backed the Gambian winger as the ideal right‑wing solution.

Recent summer signings also include Jeremy Jacquet for £55 million, Victor Munoz for £34.5 million, Ronald Araujo on loan and Ifeanyi Ndukwe for £2.57 million. Liverpool have also inquired about Bournemouth forward Rayan, whose contract contains a £130 million release clause that does not activate until 2027.

The transfer window closes on Tuesday, and Liverpool must finalise a winger deal while Barcola’s paperwork is expected within the next 24 hours. Read NEXT for further analysis of the Barcola deal and the club’s final summer moves.