Tottenham Hotspur have quietly escalated their pursuit of Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo this week, with multiple reports suggesting the club are now preparing concrete offers for the Dutch forward. The development comes as Jürgen Klopp’s side look set to miss out on a marquee signing this summer, leaving their rebuild in flux and handing Spurs a potential opening in a market where quality attacking options are scarce. Tottenham are very interested in signing Gakpo — Yahoo Sports reports — as Ange Postecoglou seeks to add firepower to a Spurs side that has lacked consistency in wide areas. The Reds, meanwhile, have seen their own plans disrupted by the realities of the transfer market, with alternative targets proving harder to land than anticipated.
A summer of frustration for Liverpool
Liverpool’s transfer activity this summer has been defined by caution rather than ambition. After the club moved quickly to secure Victor Munoz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal understood to be worth around €40 million Ruben Amorim is about to do Liverpool a massive favour — Yahoo Sports reports — the Reds have struggled to progress on other fronts. The uncertainty surrounding Cody Gakpo’s future has only complicated matters, with Liverpool now facing the prospect of losing a player they had hoped to build around without having a ready replacement in place. The club’s pursuit of alternatives has been met with resistance, whether through inflated price tags or competing interest from clubs with deeper pockets.
The Reds’ summer has also been shaped by the broader context of World Cup 2026, which has created a seller’s market for top attacking talent. Clubs in North America and the Middle East have entered the fray for Europe’s brightest prospects, while traditional heavyweights like Tottenham have been forced to adapt their strategies. For Liverpool, the challenge is twofold: they must balance the need for immediate impact with the long-term vision of a squad transitioning under a new manager.
Tottenham’s calculated gamble
Spurs’ interest in Gakpo is not a sudden impulse but the result of months of due diligence. The club’s sporting project under Postecoglou has prioritised vertical, direct football, and Gakpo’s profile — a player capable of stretching defences and contributing to both goals and assists — fits the bill. Tottenham are very interested in signing Gakpo — Yahoo Sports reports — as they look to address their lack of creativity in wide areas, where players like Pedro Porro and James Maddison have been relied upon without consistent returns.
The timing of Spurs’ move is significant. With Liverpool’s own summer plans in disarray, Tottenham have an opportunity to swoop for a player who would walk into most Premier League starting XIs. The Reds’ failure to secure a marquee signing of their own — whether through missed targets or inflated valuations — has left them vulnerable to losing Gakpo without compensation. For Postecoglou, the chance to land a player of Gakpo’s calibre without the usual transfer-market chaos is too good to ignore.
The Gakpo dilemma for Liverpool
Liverpool’s situation with Gakpo is a microcosm of their broader summer struggles. The club’s hierarchy had hoped to use the player as a cornerstone of their next campaign, but the realities of the market have forced a rethink. Gakpo’s contract runs until 2026, and while Liverpool have the financial muscle to meet any release clause, the player’s own ambitions may not align with staying at Anfield. The story of the Argentine midfielder and Real Madrid keeps adding new chapters — Yahoo Sports reports — serves as a reminder of how quickly a player’s future can shift, even when a club believes they have control.
The Reds’ alternative options have not materialised as hoped. Their pursuit of forwards has been met with stiff competition, while their attempts to sign midfield reinforcements have been bogged down by price disputes. The result is a squad that, while strong in defence and midfield, lacks the cutting edge up front that could separate them from the chasing pack. If Gakpo does leave, Liverpool will need to act fast to plug the gap — either through the academy or a late-market bargain.
What it means for the Premier League
The potential movement of Cody Gakpo from Liverpool to Tottenham would have ripple effects across the Premier League. For Spurs, it would represent a statement of intent under Postecoglou, signalling that the club are no longer content with mid-table finishes and are willing to spend to compete. The addition of Gakpo would give them a player capable of unlocking stubborn defences, particularly in games where creativity is at a premium.
For Liverpool, the loss of Gakpo would be a setback, but not necessarily a fatal one. The club’s depth in midfield and defence provides a buffer, while the emergence of academy talents like Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak offers a pathway to the first team. However, the psychological impact of losing a key player without a clear replacement could weigh heavily on a squad still adjusting to life after Klopp. The Reds’ ability to regroup will be tested in the coming weeks, as they look to salvage something from a summer that has so far failed to meet expectations.
The broader context of World Cup 2026 also looms large. Clubs are increasingly aware that the next 18 months could define their trajectory for years to come, and the race to sign top talent is fiercer than ever. Tottenham’s willingness to move early may pay dividends, while Liverpool’s caution could leave them playing catch-up in a market where patience is rarely rewarded.
What’s next
The coming days will be critical in determining whether Gakpo’s transfer becomes a reality. Tottenham’s reported interest suggests they are prepared to table a formal offer, but Liverpool will not let him go without a fight. The Reds’ hierarchy will need to decide whether to meet any valuation set by Gakpo’s representatives or risk losing him for nothing next summer.
For Spurs, the focus will shift to securing the player’s signature before other clubs — whether domestic or European — enter the frame. The club’s financial situation remains robust, but they will need to balance ambition with pragmatism, ensuring that any deal does not leave them overstretched.
Liverpool, meanwhile, must confront the possibility that their summer rebuild has stalled. The club’s next moves will be scrutinised closely, with fans and pundits alike questioning whether the hierarchy has the stomach for a late push to sign a marquee player. If Gakpo does leave, the Reds will need to act decisively to avoid a repeat of past summers where ambition gave way to inertia.
One thing is certain: the transfer window is far from over. With the World Cup break looming and clubs desperate to strengthen their squads, the next few weeks promise to be as unpredictable as ever. Tottenham’s pursuit of Gakpo may be the story of the moment, but it is unlikely to be the last twist in a summer that has already defied expectations.
Sources
Tottenham are very interested in signing Gakpo — Yahoo Sports Ruben Amorim is about to do Liverpool a massive favour — Yahoo Sports
