Tottenham Pursues Gakpo as Liverpool Eyes Barcola and Arsenal Targets Guimaraes

Tottenham’s rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi is starting to take shape, and the next piece on his board is clear: a wide forward with goals and pedigree. Cody Gakpo has moved near the top of that list.

Sky Sports report that Spurs have identified the Liverpool forward as one of their key attacking targets this summer, with De Zerbi pushing for at least one new winger after work on his midfield and defence. He wants pace, versatility, and someone who can step inside and finish. Gakpo ticks every box.

Liverpool, though, are in no rush to open the door.

The Netherlands international has four years left on his contract and remains a trusted option in attack. His ability to operate off the flank and through the middle gives Liverpool valuable flexibility, something they are reluctant to lose unless they first secure a replacement. For now, Gakpo is viewed as one of the more seasoned figures in Andoni Iraola’s forward line and a useful insurance policy centrally while Hugo Ekitike continues his recovery from an Achilles injury.

So if Spurs want him, they will have to wait – and hope Liverpool move first.

Liverpool line up Barcola as big-money target

That replacement may already be in focus. Sky Sports also report Liverpool are expected to make a formal move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.

The price will be brutal.

PSG value the 23-year-old at around £145million, a figure that instantly narrows the field of realistic bidders. Barcola’s ceiling is high and his profile fits the modern wide-forward template, but any serious pursuit would demand one of the biggest outlays in Liverpool’s history. Only if that kind of deal progresses would a path realistically open for Gakpo to leave.

For now, the situation sits in a familiar summer holding pattern: Spurs interested, Liverpool cautious, and one huge potential transfer acting as the domino that could set everything else in motion.

Tottenham are not short of alternatives. Manchester City winger Savinho is also on their radar as De Zerbi looks to inject more direct running and unpredictability into his front line. Whether Spurs can tempt either club into a sale will go a long way to defining the edge of their attack next season.

Arsenal move decisively for Guimaraes

Across north London, Arsenal are operating with far less ambiguity.

The Times report that the club are closing in on the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, with the Brazil midfielder due to undergo a medical ahead of a deal worth close to £80million. It is the sort of transfer that signals intent as much as it fills a tactical need.

Guimaraes brings control, bite, and an ability to dictate games from deep or slightly higher up. For Newcastle, his departure would mark the end of an era-defining signing. For Arsenal, it could be the piece that adds more authority to a midfield already rich in technical quality.

Newcastle trigger Hornicek clause

Newcastle, for their part, have already made a move of their own.

The club have completed the signing of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek after triggering Braga’s £25.7million release clause. It is a significant fee for a keeper and underlines how seriously Newcastle view the position as they plan the next phase of their project.

Hornicek arrives with expectation, not just as depth, but as a player Newcastle believe can grow with the squad and handle the demands of a side with European ambitions.

Fulham raid Real Madrid

Further south, Fulham are preparing a double strike in the market.

The club are poised to complete a pair of permanent deals from Real Madrid, with striker Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios both undergoing medicals ahead of their moves, according to Sky Sports. Two young talents, two long-term bets.

For Fulham, it is a bold play: tap into Real Madrid’s talent pool and back their own environment to turn potential into Premier League production.

From Gakpo’s uncertain future to Guimaraes’ looming switch and Fulham’s quiet raid on the Bernabeu, the window is beginning to split clubs into two camps: those waiting on dominoes, and those forcing them to fall.