Liverpool Firm on Cody Gakpo Amid Tottenham Interest
Liverpool are expected to slam the door on Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to prise Cody Gakpo out of Anfield – forcing Roberto De Zerbi to go all-in on Manchester City winger Savinho instead.
Liverpool dig in over Gakpo
Tottenham have identified Gakpo as one of two major wide additions De Zerbi wants, alongside Savinho, as the Italian reshapes a forward line he believes still lacks depth and variety.
Gakpo has already agreed personal terms with Spurs and told Liverpool he wants to leave, according to previous reports. Spurs are ready to seriously test Liverpool’s stance with a £60 million offer for the 27-year-old.
Liverpool’s answer? A firm no – at least for now.
The Merseyside club value Gakpo at a minimum of £60m and potentially as high as £70m. They see no reason to cash in after a strong pre-season under new boss Andoni Iraola, despite the Dutchman’s inconsistent club form last term.
Gakpo endured patches of struggle for Liverpool last season, but his confidence returned on the biggest stage as he scored three times at the World Cup before the Netherlands’ shock exit to Morocco. That resurgence, and his recent work under Iraola, has clearly influenced Liverpool’s thinking.
talkSPORT transfer reporter Alex Crook says the move is unlikely to happen before the window shuts.
“I don’t think it will happen. Speaking to sources at Liverpool they think he’s had a good pre-season under Iraola, they think he’s a player that Iraola can get the best out of,” Crook said, via Last Word on Spurs.
“I think he probably would be open to the move, but at the moment that’s not one I expect to happen between now and deadline day.”
So while Gakpo might be tempted by De Zerbi’s project, Liverpool’s hierarchy look set to keep him as a key part of Iraola’s first campaign.
Spurs turn the spotlight on Savinho
With Gakpo effectively blocked, Spurs are preparing to throw their full weight behind a deal for Savinho.
Personal terms with the Brazilian are already in place. Tottenham also tried to sign him last summer, only to hit a brick wall when City refused to sell and instead tied the winger down to a new contract at the Etihad.
This time, Spurs sense there is an opening.
According to The Times, Tottenham are in talks with City over a huge £85m transfer for the 22-year-old. Earlier expectations put Savinho’s price in the £60–65m range, but negotiations now point towards a significantly higher fee if Spurs want City to sign off.
The jump in price is steep, yet hardly out of character for the North London club under De Zerbi. The arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have already underlined Tottenham’s willingness to spend big to accelerate the rebuild and push back into European contention.
De Zerbi has been clear: he wants both Gakpo and Savinho because of their versatility across the front line and their ability to raise the technical ceiling of the squad. Liverpool’s stance may have taken one piece off the board, but the Savinho chase is gathering pace.
If Spurs do go to £85m and land the Brazilian, it will be another statement that this project is not about slow evolution. It’s about forcing their way into the Premier League’s top tier of contenders – and doing it now.
