Manchester United Pursue Cody Gakpo as Spurs Gain Upper Hand
Manchester United’s long-running admiration for Cody Gakpo has resurfaced, with the Liverpool forward again on their radar – but Tottenham currently sit in the strongest position to test Anfield’s resolve.
United’s interest is no secret. They pushed hard for Gakpo in 2022 when he was tearing up the Eredivisie with PSV, only to watch Liverpool move decisively and close a £35 million deal that December. The Dutchman arrived on Merseyside as one of Europe’s most exciting wide forwards, a player Erik ten Hag had openly wanted to build around at Old Trafford.
Two seasons on, the picture is more complicated.
A stop-start Liverpool spell
Gakpo’s most recent domestic campaign did not hit the heights Liverpool expected. Nine goals and six assists in 52 appearances is a respectable return on paper, but it falls well short of the 18 goals and seven assists he produced in 49 matches the season before. For a player signed to be a difference-maker in the final third, that drop-off matters.
On the international stage, he reminded everyone why the big clubs chased him in the first place. At the World Cup he looked like the complete modern forward again, scoring three times and adding an assist in four games. His form, however, could not prevent the Netherlands from suffering a shock round-of-32 exit to Morocco.
Liverpool now need that World Cup version of Gakpo to turn up week in, week out. With Alexander Isak expected to shoulder more responsibility centrally and Hugo Ekitike sidelined until at least January after an Achilles rupture, the Dutchman may be asked to operate more often through the middle. The opportunity is there for him to become central to the next phase of Liverpool’s attack.
At the same time, the noise around his future refuses to disappear.
United–Liverpool transfer taboo
Speculation over a possible exit has grown, with Tottenham adding Gakpo to their winger shortlist and United again being linked with a move that would send shockwaves through English football.
Speaking to The United Stand, reporter Ben Jacobs underlined both United’s admiration and the sheer difficulty of prising a player from Anfield to Old Trafford.
“He has always been somewhat appreciated, but we know that Man Utd and Liverpool just don’t really do business,” Jacobs said, capturing a rivalry that rarely crosses into the transfer market.
“So, whether or not that could possibly get off the ground, I’m not so sure.
“There are denials, despite recent reports in the Netherlands, that Gakpo has asked in any way, shape, or form to leave.
“So, Liverpool are quite calm about the situation, but Tottenham might consider that deal. And all we can say is Man Utd loved Gakpo before he joined Liverpool.
“If Gakpo specifically asks to leave Liverpool, then let’s see whether Premier League clubs come forward. And it seems like Tottenham are the most concrete suitor.”
That long-standing taboo between United and Liverpool still looms large. The admiration is there, the scouting has never really stopped, but the pathway remains blocked unless something dramatic changes.
Spurs move into pole position
While United linger in the background, Spurs are moving with greater intent. They have placed Gakpo on a shortlist that also includes Rafael Leao, Savinho and Antonio Nusa as they look to sharpen Ange Postecoglou’s forward line.
Tottenham’s interest has a different edge. There is no historic barrier between the clubs, no deep-rooted reluctance to negotiate. If Gakpo does decide he wants a new challenge in the Premier League, Spurs are currently the clearest, cleanest route.
Liverpool’s stance is firm but not immovable. They are not actively looking to sell the 27-year-old, yet an offer in the region of £70 million would be taken seriously. At that price, any suitor would need to be absolutely convinced he is the man to transform their attack.
United know exactly what they liked about Gakpo before he left PSV. Spurs believe he could elevate their wide options immediately. Liverpool still see a player who can grow into a central figure of their next attacking era.
The next move, though, rests with Gakpo himself. Will he fight to become indispensable at Anfield, or force the kind of decision that could reshape the forward lines of three major Premier League clubs in one summer?
