Tottenham Hotspur are focusing their attention on acquiring Cody Gakpo, a £51m forward currently playing for Liverpool. The Dutch attacker has risen to the top of their summer transfer list, with recent reports indicating that Gakpo is the central figure in their plans to strengthen their attacking options. With a number of high-profile signings already made during this transfer window, the London-based club appears to be making significant moves to build a competitive squad for the 2024-25 season.
Gakpo has demonstrated his scoring ability, particularly in the 2024-25 campaign, netting 18 goals. Much of his success can be attributed to his positioning near the six-yard box, where he benefits from Mohamed Salah's consistent crosses. His performance highlights his effectiveness in a system that supports him with well-timed deliveries. The 27-year-old is also versatile, able to operate as a left winger or a central striker, which could be valuable if Spurs face a thin squad due to injuries or other absences.
In those games, he sometimes struggled to create or control the ball when asked to lead attacks. His lack of speed over short distances could also be a concern for Spurs, who may need to bring in a faster option on the right side to complement his playing style and ensure a balanced attack.
Tottenham have already committed over £200m to new signings this window, and the cost of acquiring Gakpo could be substantial. With Liverpool unlikely to sell him for less than his estimated value, the potential transfer might require a fee higher than the listed £51m. The high prices in the Premier League make it difficult for Spurs to meet Liverpool's demands, and finding creative solutions may be necessary to make the deal work.
One such solution could involve a potential swap, where Spurs offer Djed Spence to Liverpool in exchange for Gakpo. Liverpool have expressed interest in a right-back, and Spence could be a tempting option for them. By proposing a trade, Spurs may be able to reduce the asking price or expedite negotiations. If De Zerbi can convince Liverpool to accept this proposal, it might pave the way for Gakpo's move to North London.
Tottenham's interest in Gakpo is not new, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that "it's not a surprise for you if you're following the channel that Cody Gakpo is a target for Tottenham. A name I've been mentioning here several times for Tottenham Hotspur." According to Romano, Tottenham have already had contact with Gakpo's agency and believe he could be a good fit for Roberto De Zerbi's project. However, the deal remains conditional, with Romano noting that "Tottenham's chances depend on the price" and that Liverpool have been consistent in their stance of keeping Gakpo. Liverpool are "very happy with Cody Gakpo" and have "never wanted to open doors" to a potential sale, even during the World Cup and July transfer period. The club is only likely to consider a change if "Tottenham present a really good financial proposal" and the player himself wishes to leave. Romano reiterated that "this is not a guaranteed deal," as Gakpo remains an important part of Liverpool's plans.
In parallel to these discussions, Tottenham have reportedly received approval to pursue Victor Osimhen, a £65m Galatasaray forward, with Spurs having made initial approaches worth between £50 million and £55 million, while Galatasaray want closer to £65 million. With the north London outfit having already landed six high-profile signings—Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka—they remain active in the market to improve their attacking line. Tottenham are now understood to have made initial approaches for Osimhen, offering a proposed package worth around £50-55m, though Galatasaray are reportedly seeking the full £65m. It also states that there has been no official approach or direct contact between Tottenham and Galatasaray, meaning this is still at the exploratory stage, not the closing stage.
The club's ambitions to make a statement signing have drawn praise from ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp, who described their behavior in the transfer window as indicative of a big club. Redknapp emphasized their strategic signings of Tonali and Fernandes as potentially transformative for the squad and highlighted the importance of adding depth to the forward line to support players like Dominic Solanke.
With Tottenham having invested over £230m in new arrivals and positioned themselves as one of the biggest spenders in Europe this summer, their transfer strategy under Roberto De Zerbi appears set to continue evolving with the potential additions of both Gakpo and Osimhen.