Tottenham's Pursuit of Cody Gakpo Hits Liverpool's Wall
Tottenham’s chase for Cody Gakpo has run straight into a brick wall painted bright Liverpool red.
Interest from Spurs in the Dutch forward has simmered all summer, with the north London club eyeing Gakpo as a key attacking addition. On paper, he fits the profile: 27 years old, seven Premier League goals and five assists last season, and a player who has already shown he can handle the pace and scrutiny of English football.
But Liverpool’s message is blunt: don’t bother knocking unless you’re ready to blow the doors off.
Gakpo only signed a new long-term contract at Anfield 12 months ago on the back of a strong 2024/25 campaign. He is not on any kind of “for sale” list, and internally he is still viewed as an important part of the club’s attacking structure. That gives Liverpool both leverage and little urgency to engage.
Behind the scenes, Spurs have kept their interest alive. Yet every enquiry runs into the same response. As talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs outlined on Hawksbee & Baker, negotiating for Gakpo right now has been described by sources as a “fool’s errand”. Liverpool intend to reject everything until their own attacking business is done.
Conditions for Transfer
The conditions are clear. Liverpool want at least one, and ideally two, attack-minded players through the door before they even consider softening their stance on Gakpo. Only then, possibly in the middle or later stages of the window – mid-August and beyond – could his situation shift slightly.
Until that happens, the numbers will be eye-watering. Liverpool are ready to lean heavily on an inflated market to justify their valuation, pointing to recent major deals across Europe as the benchmark. Any Spurs bid would be judged against that backdrop, and without a replacement lined up, it would go straight into the bin.
Recruitment Plan
The recruitment plan at Anfield is already in motion. Bradley Barcola has emerged as the top target, with Liverpool expected to place an opening offer for the Paris Saint-Germain winger. Personal terms are not yet agreed, but the France international is understood to be keen on the move. Ibrahim Mbaye is also on their radar, part of a wider push to refresh the forward line before any big decision on Gakpo.
Jacobs’ read is that two attackers would likely need to arrive before Liverpool even think about changing their position. Until then, Gakpo is locked in.
Tottenham's Strategy
Tottenham, though, are not putting all their chips on one square. Their pursuit of Gakpo runs alongside a serious move for Savinho, another dynamic forward option they believe can elevate Ange Postecoglou’s front line.
Savinho has already made his intentions clear. talkSPORT understands the Brazilian has informed Manchester City he wants to join Spurs this summer, having been keen on the switch as far back as last year when interest first surfaced. The desire is there. The problem sits in the boardroom.
City, at present, do not want to sell. Their stance remains firm despite ongoing talks with Tottenham throughout the summer. Any breakthrough depends less on Spurs’ finances and more on whether City decide to adjust their position, potentially after lining up another attacker of their own.
So Tottenham wait. For Liverpool to buy before they might sell. For City to soften before they might deal.
Serious about Gakpo. Working on Savinho. Pushing on two fronts, yet reliant on two powerhouses to blink first.
For a club intent on closing the gap at the top, the question now is simple: how long can they afford to wait?
