Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs monitoring Cody Gakpo as manager Roberto De Zerbi pushes to add another wide attacker this summer, sources say. The Netherlands international, who has four years remaining on his contract at Liverpool, would not be an inexpensive acquisition and Liverpool are said to be reluctant to sanction a sale unless a like-for-like replacement is secured first.
De Zerbi’s attacking priority
Since arriving at Spurs, De Zerbi has been clear he wants to sharpen his side’s offensive options. The club have invested heavily already this transfer window — spending to date has included a club-record fee for Sandro Tonali and the capture of Mateus Fernandes — and recruitment chiefs are understood to be working to strengthen the wing areas.
"The transfer market, it's not finished for sure, but we completed 60 per cent of our project in the tran"
That remark from De Zerbi underscores Tottenham’s appetite to continue their activity in the market, with at least one wide attacker a stated target as the manager seeks balance across his front line.
How Liverpool’s planning affects any move
Liverpool would prefer to land a replacement before letting Gakpo depart. One candidate under discussion is Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain, though PSG are understood to value the 23-year-old highly, reportedly placing a price tag in the region of £145m. If Liverpool were to press for Barcola, that chain could complicate and inflate any potential deal for Gakpo.
The forward situation at Liverpool also features the club’s younger options: teenage prospect Rio Ngumoha and recent signing Victor Munoz remain part of their wing roster should departures occur.
Spurs alternatives and wider market options
Tottenham have not confined their search to Gakpo. Sources indicate they have also checked on Savinho, the Manchester City wide player who has been linked with a move away from the Premier League champions. City, however, are cautious about letting players go without replacements in place, and Savinho signed a new deal last summer — facts that could make any transfer costly and protracted.
- Primary target: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
- Potential Liverpool replacement: Bradley Barcola (PSG), valuation reported at around £145m
- Other Spurs options: Savinho (Manchester City)
Gakpo offers versatility, having the capacity to cover centrally when required, a trait that appeals while other options, such as Hugo Ekitike at Spurs, remain unavailable as they recover from injury.
| Item | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Spurs summer spend so far | £237m |
| Sandro Tonali fee | £100m |
| Mateus Fernandes fee | £85m |
| PSG valuation of Barcola (reported) | £145m |
Potential consequences and next steps
A sale of Gakpo would set in motion a chain of recruitment for Liverpool and potentially for Spurs. If Liverpool press for Barcola, the financial outlay required could be substantial and might lengthen negotiations. For Tottenham, securing a proven wide attacker would be the next piece of De Zerbi’s tactical puzzle, adding penetration and options in wide areas while complementing the midfield and defensive signings already made.
Both clubs are likely to move cautiously. Liverpool’s insistence on finding replacements first, combined with PSG’s valuation on Barcola and Manchester City’s reluctance to trim numbers without assurances, means any transfer involving Gakpo could be complex and drawn out.
Supporters can expect ongoing speculation as clubs weigh the footballing need against the sizable financial and logistical demands such deals would bring.
