Tottenham step up pursuit of Cody Gakpo as Liverpool consider sale
Tottenham Hotspur have registered serious interest in Cody Gakpo, with the club holding preliminary talks with Liverpool and the striker’s representatives as the forward weighs up a potential summer move. The reported approach comes after a mixed campaign at Anfield for Gakpo, who remains in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for the upcoming World Cup. Tottenham see Gakpo as a Premier League-proven option to strengthen their left flank and provide a more experienced attacking alternative.
Club discussions and early negotiations
Tottenham have reportedly opened dialogue with Liverpool and Gakpo’s camp to explore a transfer, according to Dutch reports. The contacts are described as behind-the-scenes and exploratory rather than an agreed bid, reflecting the early stage of any formal negotiation. Spurs are assessing whether they can meet Liverpool’s valuation while convincing Gakpo that a move to North London would offer a clearer pathway to regular starts.
Gakpo’s Liverpool tenure and recent form
Since joining Liverpool from PSV in 2023, Cody Gakpo has experienced both high points and periods of inconsistency for the Reds. He has contributed across competitions but this season’s output was below earlier expectations, with single-digit league goals and a number of substitute appearances and positional switches. Despite fluctuating form, he remains a player with Premier League experience who can operate across the front line and in central roles when required.
Tactical profile and how he fits at Tottenham
Gakpo is primarily a left-sided attacker who can also play as a central striker or a false nine, offering tactical flexibility for a Spurs side that rotates across the front three. Tottenham currently have limited specialist options on the left, with a young player in development and another sidelined long-term, creating a need for experienced, reliable cover. Bringing in a player of Gakpo’s profile would give the head coach additional tactical permutations and an option to rotate without sacrificing quality.
Squad context and Spurs’ attacking resources
Tottenham’s attacking group includes a mix of youth and loan additions, while some wide players face fitness uncertainty or temporary departures. The club has used a variety of options on the left during the campaign, but the long-term absence of a first-choice, proven wide presence has been a recurring talking point. Acquiring a forward with established Premier League minutes would be seen as addressing a tangible squad shortfall ahead of next season.
Contract situation and transfer valuation
Gakpo remains under contract with Liverpool through the 2029–30 season, which gives the Reds negotiating leverage should they decide to sell. Market estimates have placed his valuation in the region of around £50–55 million, though any final fee would depend on Liverpool’s willingness to negotiate and how urgently Spurs pursue the matter. That contractual security means Liverpool can demand a substantial fee or hold firm if they believe Gakpo still has a key role to play at Anfield.
International selection and World Cup implications
Despite club-level ups and downs, Gakpo has retained a place in the Netherlands national team and is set to travel with Oranje to the World Cup this summer. International selection underlines his standing as a player still trusted at the highest level and could provide a platform to reset perceptions of his form. A strong tournament would likely strengthen his bargaining position and could influence Liverpool’s decision-making or Spurs’ appetite to intensify a transfer bid.
Potential transfer scenarios and timeline
Several outcomes are possible as the window unfolds: Liverpool could keep Gakpo and seek to rejuvenate him under new coaching plans, they could sell if a satisfactory offer arrives, or Tottenham might step up and complete a deal that suits all parties. The timing of managerial changes and squad planning at both clubs will be crucial, as will Gakpo’s own preference for immediate playing time versus remaining at a club where competition for places is intense. Any significant movement is most likely to occur in the coming weeks as clubs finalize summer business.
Financial and strategic considerations for Tottenham
From a financial perspective, Tottenham would weigh transfer fee and wage demands against the immediate need for experience on the left flank. Strategically, recruiting a player with Premier League pedigree could be framed as short-term consolidation and long-term competition for starting roles. Spurs must also balance investment across the squad, prioritizing areas that deliver both tactical depth and long-term value.
Gakpo’s future will hinge on multiple variables: Liverpool’s final valuation and squad plans, Tottenham’s willingness to commit resources, and the player’s own assessment of where he will best rebuild momentum. With the World Cup approaching, both clubs and the player face a narrow window to make decisions that could shape the start of next season.
Speculation will intensify over the coming weeks, but any formal proposal to move Cody Gakpo to Tottenham will need to navigate contractual realities, sporting priorities and the player’s international commitments before the summer window closes.
