Tottenham's Pursuit of Cody Gakpo Blocked by Liverpool
Tottenham’s chase for Cody Gakpo has run straight into a brick wall called Liverpool.
Interest from north London has been simmering all summer, with Spurs circling the Dutchman after his solid Premier League campaign. Seven goals, five assists in 36 league appearances, and a fresh long-term deal signed just a year ago at Anfield have only strengthened Liverpool’s hand. They hold the cards, and they know it.
Right now, Liverpool don’t just want to keep Gakpo – they expect to. The club’s stance is clear: he does not leave unless a major offer lands and, crucially, at least one – and more likely two – attack-minded signings walk through the door first. Until then, anyone trying to negotiate for him is wasting their time.
That was the message underlined by talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, who revealed that sources inside the deal have described it as a “fool’s errand” to even attempt talks with Liverpool at this stage. Every bid, he was told, will be knocked back until the recruitment dominoes fall in Liverpool’s favour.
And those dominoes have names.
- Bradley Barcola, the Paris Saint-Germain winger, sits at the top of Liverpool’s attacking wishlist. An opening offer from Anfield is expected, and while personal terms are not yet agreed, the France international is understood to be keen on the move.
- Liverpool’s hierarchy are also tracking Ibrahim Mbaye and other forward options, with the sense that two arrivals would be needed before Gakpo’s situation is allowed to shift.
If that happens, the story changes. As the window moves into mid-August and beyond, Liverpool might be prepared to listen. Not today. Not tomorrow. But later in the window, once their own business is locked in, Gakpo could edge closer to the shop window rather than the “not for sale” shelf.
Tottenham, for their part, are not dabbling. Their interest in Gakpo is serious and forms part of a broader attacking rebuild. He is not the only wide forward in their sights.
- Savinho is another key name on their list, and this one has already moved a step further. talkSPORT understands the Brazilian has informed Manchester City he wants to join Spurs this summer, having already pushed for the switch a year ago when their interest first emerged. His intention is clear.
- The obstacle lies in Manchester, not London.
City’s board, as it stands, simply do not want to sell. Any deal for Savinho depends on them softening that stance. Money is not the primary issue; it’s about City finding and securing their own replacement before they even think about sanctioning a departure. Talks between City and Spurs have been ongoing throughout the summer, but the stalemate remains.
The pattern is striking. Two clubs, Liverpool and City, both demanding cover before they release any prized attacking asset. Two players, Gakpo and Savinho, central to Tottenham’s plans yet locked behind the same door: elite clubs refusing to weaken before they reinforce.
For Spurs, the message is blunt. If they want Gakpo, they will have to wait, pay big in an inflated market, and hope Liverpool land their targets. If they want Savinho, they must trust that City eventually blink.
Until then, Tottenham’s ambitious attacking rebuild sits on a knife-edge, dependent not on their desire, but on when – or if – England’s two modern powerhouses decide to move first.
