Tottenham Pursue Gakpo as De Zerbi Targets More Attackers

Tottenham’s summer of excess might not be done yet – and the next move could be the boldest of the lot. Spurs have registered their interest in Cody Gakpo, with Roberto De Zerbi pushing hard for at least one more wide attacker to crown an already lavish rebuild.

The Italian has spent heavily to reshape his midfield and defence. Now he wants the fireworks up front.

Spurs eye Gakpo – but Liverpool hold the cards

Gakpo sits high on Tottenham’s list. The Netherlands international offers goals, creativity and, crucially, the ability to cover through the middle as a striker – a role that becomes even more valuable with Hugo Ekitike still working his way back from an Achilles injury.

He is also one of the more seasoned forwards in Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool squad, a player trusted to operate across the front line. That experience, and his contract situation, make this a complicated pursuit.

Gakpo has four years left on his Liverpool deal. He will not come cheap. Liverpool are not inclined to open the door unless they have a replacement already lined up and through the building, and their current attacking depth only underlines that stance.

If Gakpo leaves, Liverpool’s wing options narrow quickly: teenager Rio Ngumoha and new signing Victor Munoz would be left as the other wide alternatives. For a club with Liverpool’s ambitions, that is a thin margin.

Barcola chase raises the stakes

Liverpool are expected to make a formal move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. The France international fits the profile: young, explosive, and capable of playing across the front. He also fits another label in this market – extremely expensive.

PSG value the 23-year-old at £145m. That figure alone turns any negotiation into a drawn-out battle. Liverpool’s interest is real, but prising Barcola out of Paris will be anything but straightforward.

Only if a deal like that edges closer would Gakpo’s future start to loosen. Until then, Tottenham are effectively queuing for a player whose current club cannot afford to be reckless.

Savinho on the radar

Gakpo is not the only winger in Spurs’ sights. The club have also explored a potential move for Manchester City’s Brazilian wide man Savinho.

City know the player wants to leave and join Spurs. The desire is there, the pathway less so. No bid has arrived yet, and City are in no rush to weaken their squad without a clear replacement.

Savinho signed a new contract only last summer, a detail that turns this into another expensive conversation. City would also demand assurances over their own recruitment before entertaining a sale. For Tottenham, it is another high-level, high-cost option on a shortlist that speaks to the scale of De Zerbi’s ambition.

De Zerbi’s ‘bomba’ promise

The Spurs head coach has not exactly played down expectations. De Zerbi has already overseen a staggering £237m outlay this summer, including a club-record £100m move for Sandro Tonali and an £85m deal for Mateus Fernandes. Yet he insists the job is only partly done.

“The transfer market, it’s not finished for sure, but we completed 60 per cent of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another bomba!” he told football.london last week.

He confirmed the next arrival will be an attacker. Pressed on how close that deal might be, he replied: “I hope, but it’s not finished for sure.”

Two or three more signings remain on his wish list.

“I think two, maybe three,” he said. “We have to see.”

De Zerbi also moved to clarify his use of the word that has set Spurs fans alight.

“Bomba in Italian is different from bomba in English. You can write what you want, no problem, no pressure. But I said we have to complete the transfer market.

“I think we have some other players to complete the squad, and the players will be here in the next few days; for me, they are top players.

“I don’t know if the expectations are bigger than two days ago, but we have to go forward and think of the good of the team, of the club, of the squad. But in Italian, it’s a different word.”

Asked what “bomba” means to him, De Zerbi did not hesitate.

“I think Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Senesi, Robertson are bomba. For me, top player for us.”

The message is clear: when he says “bomba”, he means players of serious weight. Gakpo, Barcola, Savinho – these are the calibre of names that fit the description.

Romero interest lingers in the background

All this attacking noise comes with a quieter, more delicate subplot. Tottenham captain Cristian Romero remains a target for Atletico Madrid and Inter, and there is a growing expectation that the Argentina international could depart this summer – just a year after taking the armband and signing a new deal.

De Zerbi has already spoken with Romero and will revisit the defender’s future when he returns from his post-World Cup break. The Spurs boss has hinted he will not stand in the centre-back’s way if he genuinely wants to leave, a stance that could yet reshape the back line again before the window shuts.

Inter have already moved to strengthen at centre-back with John Stones, and a deal for Romero has long been viewed as financially complex. One potential trigger remains: Benjamin Pavard’s exit. If Pavard moves on, it could free both the funds and the squad space Inter need to meet Tottenham’s demands.

For now, Spurs drive forward, chasing the next attacking “bomba” while Europe’s elite circle their captain. The window still has time to twist, and Tottenham are standing right in the eye of the storm.