Exclusive: Liverpool in talks to sign Pedro Neto as Cody Gakpo replacement

Exclusive

Steve Kay | Editor

Liverpool are in talks with Pedro Neto’s representatives as they look to sign a replacement for Cody Gakpo, FootballTransfers has been told.

Manchester City are in negotiations over a late deal to bring Gakpo to the Etihad Stadium, following the sales of Omar Marmoush and Savio to Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool are prepared to sanction a sale before the end of Deadline Day on 1 September.

The Netherlands international is keen to join Enzo Maresca’s side and discussions over a transfer are ongoing, although Liverpool will only permit a sale if they are able to land another new attacker in addition to Bradley Barcola.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward is on the verge of joining the Reds for a fee worth up to €145 million, having undergone a medical, and FootballTransfers understands that Neto is high on Liverpool’s list of possible replacements for Gakpo.

The 26-year-old’s current contract at Chelsea runs until 2031, but the west London giants are open to negotiating a possible sale following the signings of Geovany Quenda, Morgan Rogers, Marco Palestra and Pep Chavarria so far this summer.

Neto was named on the substitutes bench for Chelsea’s opening fixture of the new Premier League campaign versus Fulham and their Carabao Cup win over Luton Town, however he started against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, and netted the Blues’ second goal in an exhilarating 4-3 victory.

We understand that Neto would be open to leaving Stamford Bridge if he receives an attractive proposal and Liverpool officials have contacted his agent to gauge the possibility of a deal amid their pursuit of a Gakpo replacement.

Sources have informed us that Chelsea will only consider a sale if they receive an offer of at least €88 million (£75m) and it remains to be seen if Liverpool are willing to match this asking price before the window closes.

Neto has scored 20 goals in 106 games for Chelsea since his arrival at the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2024, and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €51.7m.

Who else will Liverpool sign before the end of Deadline Day?

As mentioned, Barcola is Liverpool’s primary target for the remainder of the summer transfer window, and they have already struck an agreement to sign him in a deal worth €145m including add-ons.

In addition, Andoni Iraola’s side have also been linked with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh, with the club eager to sign two new forwards before the end of Deadline Day if Gakpo departs.

They have already signed Victor Munoz so far this summer, but he is one of only seven senior attackers currently at the club, alongside Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha, Federico Chiesa, Gakpo and the injured Hugo Ekitike.