Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on acquiring Dutch international Cody Gakpo from Liverpool during the upcoming summer transfer window. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that he wants to add at least one wide attacker to his squad after having already invested heavily in strengthening the midfield and defensive lines. The Dutch forward, who currently has four years left on his Liverpool contract, is not a cheap target, and the English club is unlikely to let him go without securing a suitable replacement.
Liverpool, for their part, are expected to launch a formal bid for Paris Saint‑Germain winger Bradley Barcola. However, the French side values the 23‑year‑old at roughly £145 million, meaning any deal will be complex and costly. Should Gakpo depart and Barcola arrive, Liverpool would be left with young prospects such as Rio Ngumoha and newly signed Victor Muñoz to fill the wide‑forward roles.
This underscores the delicate balancing act both clubs face as they navigate the market. Gakvo is one of the more seasoned attackers in Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool side, capable of covering both the striker and winger positions.
His versatility is especially valuable at a time when Hugo Ekitike is still recovering from an Achilles injury, leaving a noticeable gap in Liverpool’s attacking options. The club’s willingness to part with Gakpo will therefore hinge on the quality and timing of any incoming talent. In parallel, Tottenham have also been linked with Manchester City winger Savinho. City are aware that the Brazilian is keen to move to London, but they have not yet received a concrete offer.
Savinho signed a fresh contract with City last summer, which means any potential transfer would likely involve a significant fee. Moreover, City would want assurances that they have a replacement lined up before allowing him to leave.
De Zerbi has been vocal about the club’s ambition, describing the next signing as a "bomba" – a term he uses to denote a major, impactful acquisition. The Spurs have already spent a club‑record £237 million this summer, splashing out £100 million for Sandro Tonali and £85 million for Mateus Fernandes. The manager told football.london that the transfer market is far from over, noting that roughly 60 percent of their recruitment plan has already been executed and that they are still hunting for that decisive "bomba" to complete the project.
When asked about the progress of the Gakpo deal, De Zerbi replied, "I hope, but it's not finished for sure," indicating that negotiations are ongoing but not yet concluded. He also hinted that Tottenham could still add two or three more players before the window shuts, emphasizing the club’s desire to build depth across the squad. The manager’s use of the word "bomba" sparked curiosity, prompting him to explain that in Italian it conveys the idea of a top‑class player – akin to the impact of signings such as Tonali, Fernandes, Cristian Romero, and James Robertson. He stressed that the term should not be taken as pressure but rather as a marker of quality and ambition.
Beyond Gakpo, Tottenham’s captain Cristian Romero is also attracting interest from Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan. After being appointed club captain just a year ago and signing a new contract, there is speculation that Romero may seek a move abroad.
De Zerbi has confirmed that he has spoken with the Argentine defender and will discuss his future once the World Cup break concludes. The Spurs boss has made it clear that he does not intend to block a potential departure, respecting the player’s wishes. Inter Milan have already secured John Stones to reinforce their centre‑back options, making a Romero deal financially intricate.
A possible exit for Benjamin Pavard from Inter could free up the necessary funds and squad space to meet Tottenham’s valuation for Romero, creating a win‑win scenario for both clubs. In summary, Tottenham’s transfer strategy this summer revolves around bolstering the attacking flanks while maintaining flexibility in the defensive department.
The pursuit of Cody Gakpo represents a high‑profile target that would add pace, creativity, and goal‑scoring ability to De Zerbi’s side. Simultaneously, the club remains open to further additions, potentially including Savinho or other unnamed players, to ensure squad depth and competition for places.
Liverpool, meanwhile, must balance the desire to cash in on Gakpo with the need to replace his contributions, especially as they eye Barcola as a potential replacement. Both clubs are navigating a market where valuations are soaring, and strategic planning will be essential to achieve their respective objectives before the transfer window closes.