Emile Heskey has called on Liverpool to strongly consider cashing in on Cody Gakpo if a ‘serious offer’ comes in for the forward this summer.
Gakpo enjoyed an encouraging start in his first half-a-season on Merseyside after joining from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, racking up seven goals and two assists in his opening 21 Premier League appearances.
The 27-year-old’s most productive season yet came in Arne Slot’s extraordinary first year at the helm, with a return of ten goals in 35 games helping steer the Reds to a record-equaling 20th league crown.
But Gakpo netted only seven times in the English top flight as Liverpool’s title defence came off the rails in dramatic fashion last term, leading to Slot’s dismissal as head coach earlier this summer.
Get personalised football updates every day
Sign up to our daily football newsletter and choose your team to get the latest news, rumours and more direct to your inbox every morning.
According to the BBC, there is a ‘possibility’ that Gakpo may never play under manager Andoni Iraola, despite the versatility and work ethic the attacker has showcased across his three-and-a-year spell at Anfield.
And while Gakpo only put pen to paper on a new contract extension last summer, which runs through to 2030, Tottenham continue to be heavily linked with the Netherlands international.
Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest for some time, with Gakpo himself confirming last September: ‘From what I understand, they did come, but they ended up buying Luis Diaz.’
Giving his thoughts on the club’s potential transfer dealings, ex-Liverpool striker Heskey told 10bet: ‘I would consider selling Cody if a decent offer was on the table.
‘When you’re coming in as a new manager, you have to cold-headedly look at your assets.
‘He is an asset who holds significant market value that you could cash in on to fund your own vision.’
Though Heskey concedes that Gakpo had a ‘decent’ World Cup, he believes the Dutchman’s form at club level has been patchy at best.
‘He has had a decent enough World Cup in terms of scoring and creating chances for Holland, which keeps his profile high,’ the former England international added.
‘But at club level for Liverpool, it hasn’t consistently looked great for him. So yes, you’d definitely have to consider a serious offer.’
The BBC claim it would likely require an offer in excess of £60million for Liverpool to even contemplate a deal for Gakpo this summer.
Should the Reds decide to sell, they stand to make a tidy profit on the winger, who they signed for a fee of just £35m from PSV Eindhoven after the 2022 World Cup.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.