Fabrizio Romano confirms bombshell: Surprise Liverpool talks to enter key stages

Liverpool are to enter key stages of surprise talks this week. The Reds may sanction a record sale.

Liverpool have under three weeks until their season properly starts. Despite that short timeframe, they've still got plenty of transfer business to get through.

We don't even know who's staying let alone coming in and it means Andoni Iraola is working with a squad that may not actually be the one he has this season. Liverpool better get a move on, in other words.

It does sound as though that will happen. Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Monday that Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will enter 'key' stages of talks this week about a potential move for Cody Gakpo.

The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move away, especially as the Reds have already signed Victor Munoz and are considering a deal for Bradley Barcola. Both arrivals would limit minutes for Gakpo in an an already-crowded left-wing space.

"Tottenham plan to step up their efforts to try [to] sign Cody Gakpo as talks will enter into key stages soon," Romano wrote on Twitter.

"Gakpo, [an] option in addition to Savinho, who remains another top target.

"Deal depends on [Liverpool] intentions/price as Gakpo’s not on [their] exit list."

That last line is an interesting one. It's a surprise sale for Liverpool, who didn't head into the summer planning on finding a move for Gakpo.

It's Spurs leading the charge on this one, believing they can secure an experienced, proven player. That's certainly been their strategy this summer, with Marco Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali all joining from Premier League clubs.

Gakpo may well be next for them - if they can meet Liverpool's asking price.