Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly expressed formal interest in signing Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo, according to Voetball International. The Dutch international has been linked with an Anfield exit this summer, with Spurs the club most heavily linked as Roberto De Zerbi searches for more attacking additions to his squad.
Spurs step up interest in Gakpo
Gakpo had a mixed season last year, drawing some criticism of his performances. However, he has impressed during pre-season under Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola, leaving the manager with a decision to make over the player's future.
Further reports have suggested Liverpool would demand a minimum of £60 million before entertaining any notion of selling him. The Reds shelled out a reported £35m to bring him to Anfield from PSV in the January 2023 transfer window, meaning they would demand almost twice that amount to secure his signature.
Spurs' summer spending spree
Such a fee would almost certainly push Spurs beyond the £300m mark in summer spending. They have already splashed the cash to bring in Sandro Tonali for £100m from Newcastle, Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m and Jan-Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion for £52m. They have also brought in Marco Senesi and Andrew Robertson as free agents, with the latter being Gakpo's former team-mate.
Discussing the transfer window, De Zerbi emphasised the club's business remains ongoing. He said: "I think we're working well. Now let's continue. We still have 10 days before the start of the Premier League. We're trying to integrate the incoming players as best we can and complete the squad, because we still have some work to do on the market. I believe this is the first real year, a rebuilding phase. Last year was a survival phase, this year we can start again to create something lasting in the most difficult championship in Europe."
Gakpo's role at Liverpool
Last term, Gakpo contributed nine goals and six assists across 52 appearances for the Reds. Liverpool have been pursuing Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola throughout the summer and have already secured Victor Munoz from Osasuna.
Gakpo also finds himself behind Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in the hierarchy - though Ekitike is recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture, while 17-year-old talent Rio Ngumoha could feature more prominently following his breakthrough season last year.
