Spurs Set for Gakpo Coup After Four-and-a-Half-Year Pursuit

Tottenham are edging towards the statement signing of Cody Gakpo, with talkSPORT indicating Spurs remain at the front of the queue even after Manchester City sniffed around. Liverpool’s stance remains firm until they secure a forward of their own, but the feeling is a deal for Bradley Barcola could swing the door wide open for Gakpo to head to north London.

City lurking, Spurs leading

There’s been noise from the Etihad, but right now a City swoop is viewed as unlikely. Spurs, meanwhile, have put in the legwork all summer and are well-placed to pounce if Liverpool give the green light. Gakpo is open to the move, the price tag is understood to hover around £70m, and this is one of those windows where decisive action separates the planners from the panickers.

De Zerbi’s blueprint: why Gakpo fits

Under Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham’s attack is all about rotations, overloads and a ruthless wide threat cutting in to finish. Gakpo ticks the lot: a left-sided forward who can play across the front line, carry at pace and finish cleanly. He scored on the opening day in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle with a crisp strike from the edge—exactly the sort of moment Spurs have lacked in tight games.

Factor in the summer rebuild and you see the plan: Savio brings trickery, Omar Marmoush (set for a season-long loan with an obligation to buy) offers direct running and penalty-box presence, while Gakpo would add end product and big-game temperament.

Follow the money: £70m and the Gordon benchmark

Liverpool’s valuation—circa £70m—has been framed against recent elite winger fees, with Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona cited as a marker. Is it steep? Of course. But the market’s the market, and when a player delivers consistent output at the sharp end, the premium follows.

Anfield’s domino: Barcola in, Gakpo out?

The Reds won’t blink until they strengthen up front, and PSG’s Bradley Barcola is the name on their list. If that lands, expect the Gakpo gate to swing. Until then, it’s negotiation poker—Spurs holding position, Liverpool waiting on cover, City hovering but not committed.

Form that travels

Since arriving in England, Gakpo’s trend line has been tidy: 10 goal contributions in 2022/23, a leap to 23 in 2023/24, then 25 in 2024/25. He dipped to 15 in 2025/26 but has already opened his account this term. That blend of versatility and production is why De Zerbi wants him to headline the left flank.

Tottenham’s busy summer, one more to come?

Spurs have already stacked the squad with seven signings, with Brazil winger Savio the latest through the door, following Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. Add the Marmoush deal agreed with Man City for a loan plus obligation, and you can see why De Zerbi smells a window-defining finale.

For those keeping an eye on transfer odds and market movers, our curated best betting sites can be a handy reference—but the headline here is simple: Spurs are still seen as leaders for Gakpo, while a switch to City is currently viewed as unlikely. If Liverpool seal Barcola, brace for action.

Pundit’s verdict

This has the feel of a long chase about to pay off—call it four-and-a-half years in the making. Tottenham have flirted with Gakpo since his PSV days; now he’s a polished Premier League forward ready to slot into De Zerbi’s aggressive, front-foot football. The price is punchy, the timing delicate, but the logic is bulletproof. Over to Spurs: table the bid, test Liverpool’s resolve, and finish the window with a flourish.