Cody Gakpo: Tottenham's Summer Target as Liverpool Rethinks Stance

Tottenham’s summer of heavy spending might not be done yet – and Cody Gakpo has suddenly moved from “off limits” to “available, under conditions.”

The door, Fabrizio Romano reports, is now ajar.

Spurs circle as Liverpool rethink Gakpo stance

Tottenham have already thrown close to £230 million at this window, reshaping Andoni Iraola’s squad with Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka. It’s a statement, and a loud one.

But the message from north London is clear: the rebuild up front is still incomplete. At least one wide forward or striker is expected to arrive before the window shuts, and that search has taken them directly to Anfield.

Cody Gakpo, once firmly in Liverpool’s “not for sale” bracket, has re-emerged as a live target. So has Savinho at Manchester City. Both clubs, though, have been reluctant to lose key attacking pieces without replacements in hand.

Liverpool’s situation is especially delicate. They are already light in the wide areas and, despite Gakpo’s underwhelming 2025/26 campaign, the Dutchman remains an important asset with four years left on his contract. The Reds have brought in Victor Munoz, but a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah is still missing.

That’s where the market has shifted.

Liverpool have accelerated their push for Bradley Barcola and another PSG player to address that Salah-sized hole. According to Romano, that pursuit has softened their stance on Gakpo. The sale, once dismissed, is now possible – but only if two boxes are ticked.

Two conditions on the table

Romano laid it out on X: Tottenham are in “direct talks” with Gakpo’s camp over a potential move this summer, after initial approaches in July. The structure of any deal, though, hinges entirely on Liverpool.

The first condition is financial. Liverpool will only move if the offer hits the level they want. With Gakpo tied down until 2029, the club know they hold a strong hand. Reports this week suggest they are looking for around £72 million, using Anthony Gordon’s £69 million transfer from Newcastle United to FC Barcelona as a reference point.

The second condition is tied to their recruitment drive. The green light for Gakpo depends on how the Barcola chase and their wider attacking business plays out. If Liverpool land the right pieces, the Dutch forward becomes expendable. If they don’t, the door could slam shut again.

For now, Romano’s message is blunt: “Deal depends on Liverpool decision; doors closed back in July but now could depend on financial package/Barcola pursuit. #THFC are trying.”

Spurs are pushing. Liverpool are listening. The gap between the two is money and timing.

Striker search runs in parallel

Gakpo is not the only name on Tottenham’s attacking whiteboard. While the club work on wide options, a centre-forward remains on the agenda.

On his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Spurs are “exploring the possibility of signing a striker this summer” and have discussed “several names internally, including Omar Marmoush.” The West Ham forward is one of the options under consideration, but nothing is at an advanced stage.

Nicolas Jackson, heavily linked in the past 24 hours, is a different story. Despite the noise, Romano insists there is “nothing close or imminent” with Tottenham. Jackson is “not a priority” and there are “no advanced negotiations,” only internal discussions placing him among a list of potential targets.

The Chelsea striker’s future could be shaped elsewhere in the Premier League.

Villa, Emery and the Jackson factor

Aston Villa remain serious contenders for Jackson. Romano describes him as one of Villa’s “priority targets,” but their move is locked behind financial constraints.

Villa have already taken Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea, which blocks them from bringing in another Chelsea player on loan in this window. Any deal for Jackson would have to be permanent, and the numbers will dictate whether it can happen.

One thing is not in doubt: Unai Emery’s admiration. The pair worked together at Villarreal, built an “excellent relationship,” and Emery, Romano says, “would love to work with him again.” That history gives Villa an edge, if they can afford to use it.

A pivotal few weeks for Spurs’ attack

Tottenham’s window has already been bold. The next move could define it.

If Liverpool land Bradley Barcola and sign off on a fee close to £72 million, Gakpo’s path to north London opens up. If the Barcola deal stalls or the money falls short, Spurs may have to pivot quickly – to Marmoush, to another wide forward, or to a different profile of striker altogether.

For Iraola, the equation is simple: his team need more goals, more thrust, more variety in the final third. The market has finally offered a crack in Liverpool’s resolve over Cody Gakpo.

Now it comes down to whether Tottenham are willing to drive straight through it.