Spurs chase Savinho and Marmoush, Inter agree £30m Jones deal: Live transfer news updates

The noise surrounding Cody Gakpo doesn’t seem to be diminishing. Tottenham Hotspur have been repeatedly linked with the 27-year-old forward, but Liverpool maintain he is not for sale.

As the club begin a new era under head coach Andoni Iraola, this could have been the ideal time for a clean slate. Cashing in on a player who underperformed last season in a seller’s market this summer makes plenty of sense — but it is not that easy in reality.

Iraola’s squad remains incomplete, particularly in attacking areas. Mohamed Salah has departed, Hugo Ekitike is continuing a long recovery from his Achilles injury, and Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott have both had ineffective pre-seasons. Yet there has been a lack of activity in the transfer market.

Liverpool were short of attacking players last season, and too often former head coach Arne Slot was unable to bring on plausible game-changers from the bench. Spain international Victor Munoz, 23, has arrived from Osasuna, but from a numbers perspective, he essentially replaces Salah.

The pursuit of PSG winger Bradley Barcola, 23, continues. Liverpool have also shown exploratory interest in his team-mate and fellow forward Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, but that is yet to advance.

Two-in, one-out sounds fine but there is a strong argument that Liverpool should not sell Gakpo.

The Dutch international has been a standout performer in his two pre-season appearances. He has looked rejuvenated and has taken little time to adapt to Iraola’s new system.