Tottenham's Ambitious Summer Transfer Plans: Savinho, Marmoush, and Gakpo
Tottenham are already tearing up the script of a normal summer window. And they might not be done yet.
Savinho is in the bag after an £85m agreement with Manchester City, Omar Marmoush is edging closer, and yet the word from inside the market is simple: Spurs still have room to go bigger.
Two wingers, one striker – and maybe more
Fabrizio Romano set the tone on Thursday. Tottenham’s plan, he said, is clear: two wingers and a central striker. Savinho and Cody Gakpo have been earmarked for the wide roles, with a new No 9 to complete the set.
The first part is already moving fast. Spurs struck their huge deal with City for Savinho and immediately pivoted towards Marmoush, the man expected to fill that central striker brief.
The Egypt international has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract and is described as very keen to work under Roberto De Zerbi. Talks between Tottenham and his club are said to be “very close” to completion, with an agreement possible in the coming days. If that drops, Spurs’ outlay this summer would surge towards the £400m mark.
And still, the noise around the club suggests this might only be the middle of the story.
“May yet go bigger”
According to The Independent’s chief football writer Miguel Delaney, Tottenham “may yet go bigger than Savinho and Omar Marmoush”. The line, dropped in his Inside Football newsletter, has only fuelled the sense that there is another major move in play.
The obvious name is Gakpo. Romano has repeatedly framed the window around Savinho, Gakpo and a central striker. Savinho is done. Marmoush is close to ticking the striker box. Gakpo is the piece that would turn a bold window into a statement.
Spurs have tracked the Dutchman all summer. Marmoush has dominated the headlines in the last few days, but Romano insists Gakpo’s situation “remains open”.
“It’s not over at all, the summer transfer window for Tottenham. I always told you Savinho, Gakpo, and a central striker. Savinho is done. Gakpo: we will talk in the next few days,” he said.
If it is not Gakpo, the suggestion is clear: Tottenham could have another attacking option lined up completely under the radar.
With the window now in its final week, the cloak-and-dagger phase is almost over. Clarity is coming, one way or another.
Gakpo deal hinges on Liverpool’s next moves
Several hurdles still stand between Gakpo and a move to north London.
The forward has already agreed personal terms with Tottenham and is understood to be very keen on the switch. The problem is Liverpool. They still see him as part of their plans and have proven extremely tough to negotiate with.
His form in pre-season has only strengthened their stance, as has the belief inside Anfield that new manager Andoni Iraola can unlock even more from him. For now, that conviction is a major obstacle.
Tottenham have not yet submitted a formal bid. That could change quickly if Liverpool complete deals for Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye. Either arrival would ramp up competition in Gakpo’s area of the pitch and could soften Liverpool’s resistance.
Until then, Spurs wait, poised between what they have already done and what they still think they can pull off.
Savinho secured. Marmoush nearly there. A budget soaring towards £400m. And a final week in the window that could yet redefine what Tottenham think is possible.
