Liverpool open to surprise summer exit in huge shake-up of forward line
Phil Haigh
Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
Arne Slot could see big changes to his squad this summer (Picture: Getty Images)
Liverpool are open to selling Cody Gakpo this summer amid interest from Bayern Munich, as they prepare for big changes to their options in attack.
The Reds cantered to the Premier League title this season but they do not intend to rest on their laurels and it could be a busy summer in the transfer market for them.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving for Real Madrid and he is unlikely to be the only big name departure, with Darwin Nunez expected to also make a move to Spain.
The Uruguay international has struggled for consistency since moving to Anfield and his time at the club appears to be at an end, with an agreement with Atletico Madrid reportedly already reached.
Gakpo could also be on the move this summer in a more surprising exit, given that the Netherlands international made a significant contribution at the club this season.
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The 26-year-old scored 18 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions, which took his tally to 41 in 128 outings since joining the club from PSV in January 2023.
Sky Germany report that Gakpo is on Bayern Munich’s list of targets as they look for a new left-sided forward and Liverpool will do a deal if an appropriate offer comes in.
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-TOTTENHAM
Cody Gakpo has had a very good season with Liverpool (Picture: Getty Images)
A move is far from guaranteed as Bayern are also tracking Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, but the report states that contact has already been made over a possible deal for the Dutchman.
Gakpo spoke earlier in the season about his improved form under Arne Slot, which he feels is down to playing in his best position, on the left of a front three.
‘Obviously now I play on the left side, so I think that’s, for me, personally, the biggest change to my advantage. That’s what suits me the best, and I think that’s where I’m at my best,’ he told TNT Sports.
‘I went to Liverpool, I played a lot as a central striker, which was new to me. So I had to adapt to being in a new position and also being in a new team, so at times, it was tricky.
‘But yeah, I’m very happy that I’m back on the left now and I think that’s the biggest change that the manager did for me.’
Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
Gakpo has now won the Premier League and Eredivisie titles (Picture: Getty Images)
A challenge for Gakpo has been that Luis Diaz is also competing for that position on the left, although Slot has spoken of his delight with how well both players have performed while sharing the role.
‘I can completely understand how much focus there is on Mo [Salah]’s performance because that is remarkable, if a player has so many goals and so many assists,’ said Slot earlier this year.
‘But if you combine the goals of Lucho [Luis Diaz] and Cody when they play as a left winger, they come quite close to the numbers Mo has.
‘Mo’s advantage is that because Federico [Chiesa] is not always available he is playing from the first until the last minute, but I think our left-winger position comes quite close to the numbers Mo has.’
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (centre) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game with team-mates while wearing a shirt with the words 'I Beyond to Jesus' during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday April 27, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Gakpo took his tally to 10 Premier League goals this season (Picture: PA Wire)
Liverpool are plotting some big signings this summer, which will mean they have to balance the book with sales as well.
The most significant of those signings could prove to be Florian Wirtz, with
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