Tottenham's Pursuit of Cody Gakpo and Savinho
Tottenham’s push to prise Cody Gakpo from Liverpool has stalled, even as the north London club keep the pressure on Manchester City in talks for winger Savinho.
Gakpo deal cools after Liverpool stance
For weeks, Gakpo has sat near the top of Tottenham’s attacking wishlist. Spurs have been exploring a deal that would not only reshape Roberto De Zerbi’s front line, but also hand Liverpool extra funds to go after Paris Saint-Germain pair Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, who together could cost around £155million.
Personal terms have already been thrashed out between Spurs and Gakpo, as revealed by TEAMtalk, and the Dutch forward has informed Liverpool of his desire to move. Tottenham have been preparing an opening bid in the region of £60m.
Just as that story gathered momentum, a sharp check arrived.
Alex Crook of talkSPORT has poured cold water on the prospect of Gakpo swapping Anfield for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer. Speaking to Last Word on Spurs, Crook said he does not expect the transfer to happen, citing conversations with Liverpool sources who are impressed with Gakpo’s work under new boss Andoni Iraola in pre-season.
Liverpool, according to those briefed on the situation, believe Iraola can unlock more from the 25-year-old. That belief has hardened their stance at a time when Gakpo is understood to be open to the move.
Crook’s update jars with a previous line from CaughtOffside, which had suggested exits for both Gakpo and Curtis Jones were “getting closer”. Right now, the Liverpool side of the equation looks far less willing to play ball, and the clock is ticking towards deadline day.
De Zerbi’s double wish – and the Savinho saga
De Zerbi has made no secret internally of his desire to add two wide forwards: Gakpo and Savinho. The ideal scenario is clear. Reality might be harsher.
With the Gakpo path clouded, attention inside Spurs has sharpened on Savinho, the highly rated Brazilian owned by Manchester City. The Times report that Tottenham remain locked in negotiations with City after failing to get a deal over the line last summer.
City are prepared to sell, even though Savinho signed a new contract as recently as October. That fresh deal has strengthened their hand. The Daily Mail reported in July that Spurs were closing in on the winger for around £65m at the second attempt.
That figure no longer looks sufficient.
According to The Times, City are now holding out for £85m. It is a hefty jump, and it leaves Spurs needing to significantly raise their offer if they want to secure the 22-year-old.
Tottenham have already signalled a new, aggressive transfer posture with record-breaking moves for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. Those deals show a club willing to stretch to land priority targets. Inside the recruitment team, there is a belief they can still reach City’s price for Savinho, even if the £85m valuation feels inflated.
One key hurdle is already cleared: Spurs have agreed personal terms with Savinho. The player is on board. The structure of the deal is clear. Now it is about whether Tottenham are prepared to push their spending to yet another level, and whether that comes instead of, rather than alongside, any late play for Gakpo.
