Cody Gakpo's Potential Move to Tottenham Grows Stronger

Cody Gakpo edges closer to Tottenham as talks with Roberto De Zerbi add real weight to what once felt like a speculative link.

The Liverpool forward is now described as “definitely open” to a move to north London after holding direct talks with the Spurs head coach last month, according to Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink. Those conversations appear to have changed the tone of the entire situation.

De Zerbi Call That Changed the Mood

Tottenham’s interest in Gakpo has been building for weeks, but this is no longer just background admiration.

Voetbal International’s Joost Blaauwhof previously reported that Spurs had formally registered their interest, with De Zerbi identifying Gakpo and Savinho as attacking options who could offer different roles within his fluid forward line.

Elfrink has now gone a step further with fresh detail. Posting on X, he revealed that Gakpo spoke directly with De Zerbi last month and left those talks open to a transfer. The message was clear: the player is ready to consider Spurs, and Liverpool “now seems willing to go along with it,” with PSV Eindhoven still set to benefit financially.

That call matters. Gakpo now knows exactly how De Zerbi plans to use him. Spurs know the player is on board with the project. The outlines of a serious move are suddenly visible.

Liverpool’s Price Tag Sets the Terms

The next phase is simple on paper and awkward in practice: the money.

SoccerNews report that Tottenham have already lodged an opening bid just above £60 million. Liverpool are expected to reject that figure, with multiple reports placing their valuation closer to £70 million.

For Liverpool, that number represents a strong return on the fee paid to PSV when Gakpo arrived at Anfield in January 2023. It also reflects his value as a proven Premier League attacker who can play from the left, as a central forward, or across multiple attacking roles.

If Spurs are willing to move towards that £70 million mark, this has the makings of a straightforward negotiation. Liverpool have little incentive to compromise heavily. Gakpo is established, versatile and entering what should be his peak years. Any discount would need a compelling football reason.

Barcola Chase Looms Over the Decision

That reason might come from Paris.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is another key piece of this puzzle. Andoni Iraola is already reshaping his forward line after Mohamed Salah’s departure, and the club’s recruitment plans will dictate how bold they can be with outgoings.

If Liverpool make real progress on Barcola, Gakpo’s future immediately becomes more fluid. The club must balance numbers in Iraola’s attacking group, and a sale in the region of £70 million would provide serious funds to reinvest while keeping the wage bill under control.

There is also a knock-on effect in Eindhoven. Elfrink notes that PSV would benefit from the solidarity mechanism if Gakpo joins Tottenham, giving his former club a financial stake in the outcome.

Spurs Sense Opportunity

From Tottenham’s perspective, the pieces are lining up.

They want the player. The head coach has already sold the project directly. Gakpo is open to the move. Liverpool, at the right price, are prepared to talk.

What remains is the gap between £60 million and £70 million and how far Spurs are willing to go to give De Zerbi another key attacking weapon. The Italian clearly sees something in Gakpo; those early talks do not happen without conviction.

Liverpool’s Risk Line

For Liverpool, the calculation is more delicate.

Selling Gakpo for around £70 million can be justified on the balance sheet, especially if that money is immediately recycled into Barcola or another elite attacker. The danger lies in completing the sale before the replacement is secured.

Iraola has already walked into a major transition. Salah has gone. Tinkering again with an established member of the forward unit brings obvious risk, particularly when Gakpo still offers goals, Premier League experience and tactical flexibility, even if his form has fluctuated and frustrated sections of the fanbase.

There is another uncomfortable angle: strengthening Tottenham directly. Handing a Champions League rival a productive attacker, only to be left short in your own squad, is the kind of misstep that can shape a season.

The money on the table might be strong business. It only becomes good football business if Liverpool have the next man in the door before Gakpo walks out of it.