Steven Gerrard delivers huge verdict on Liverpool's £123m transfer deal for Bradley Barcola

Steven Gerrard has explained that Bradley Barcola can "take Liverpool to the next level," as the club look to complete a £123million transfer for the Paris Saint-Germain man . The Reds have pursued the winger for the bulk of the summer window .

A move that was considered nigh-on impossible a matter of months ago, Barcola falling behind Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue in the pecking order with PSG , coupled with the arrivals of Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts in the French capital, quickly changed matters.

Taking into account the 23-year-old's ability and importance to Luis Enrique's first-team, a £145m price tag was slapped on Barcola. However, Liverpool have now managed to shave that price down to £106m plus £17m in add-ons.

And speaking on TNT Sports ahead of Liverpool's encounter with Nottingham Forest , Gerrard has offered his assessment of the Barcola signing. He said: "Incredible talent.

"This is a player who has won two Champions Leagues in the last two years. I don't think he's hit his ceiling yet, still think there's potential there.

"Growth. He can evolve into an even better player which is very exciting. But it's the type of level of player that's gonna help take Liverpool to the next level.. So I think it's a fantastic deal."

Elsewhere, David Ornstein was swift to address Cody Gakpo's position at the club, amid speculation linking him with a departure from Merseyside. The 27-year-old endured an inconsistent campaign last season, yet Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have both been associated with a potential move.

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Spurs have undergone a significant first-team transformation under Roberto De Zerbi, while City are seeking attacking reinforcements having offloaded Savio and Omar Marmoush to North London.

And discussing Gakpo's future and how the remainder of the window could unfold, Ornstein explained: "Cody has a big decision to make because he's got three very good options.

"He either stays at Liverpool, where he'll be a great asset - already has been so far. He moves to Manchester City, their interest is genuine. Or he goes to Tottenham, and they've been pursuing him - it's been a bit more high-profile - for some time.

"Pros and cons to all of those options. If he decides to stay, then Liverpool will probably park their pursuit of a right-sided attacker, because then they'll have the four wingers already in the building.