Liverpool Resists Tottenham's Pursuit of Cody Gakpo

Tottenham’s pursuit of Cody Gakpo has run into a brick wall of Liverpool resistance, with the Anfield hierarchy making it clear that any move for the Dutch forward right now is, in the words of one source, a “fool’s errand”.

Spurs have tracked the Netherlands international all summer, sensing an opportunity to add a versatile, goalscoring wide forward to Ange Postecoglou’s evolving attack. The interest is real. The route to a deal is anything but.

Liverpool shut the door – for now

Gakpo, 27, comes off a solid Premier League campaign: seven goals and five assists across 36 league appearances last season. Twelve months ago he signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool on the back of a strong 2024/25 season, and that deal has given the club both security and leverage.

Liverpool’s stance is blunt. They want to keep him. That will not change unless they reshape their forward line first.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Baker, reporter Ben Jacobs laid out the situation. Liverpool, he said, will not entertain offers for Gakpo until they have brought in at least one, and more likely two, attack-minded players. Until that happens, every proposal is expected to be knocked back.

The club are also acutely aware of the inflated state of the transfer market. Any bid from Spurs would be judged against recent high-end deals, with Liverpool ready to lean on those fees to justify a hefty valuation. If Tottenham want Gakpo, they will have to pay market-top money — and probably wait.

Only later in the window, as mid-August approaches and Liverpool’s own business takes shape, could the picture shift. If the reinforcements arrive, Gakpo’s position might loosen. Not before.

Barcola and Mbaye at the heart of Liverpool’s plan

The key to any movement lies not in north London but in Paris and elsewhere on the continent.

Bradley Barcola has emerged as Liverpool’s top attacking target. The club are expected to place an opening offer for the Paris Saint-Germain winger, with the France international understood to be keen on the move, even though personal terms are not yet agreed.

There is also interest in Ibrahim Mbaye among a wider pool of options. The message from inside Liverpool is clear: only when at least one of these deals is close, and ideally when two forwards are on their way in, will they even consider changing their stance on Gakpo.

Until then, Spurs are effectively negotiating with a locked door.

Spurs push on two fronts: Gakpo and Savinho

Tottenham, though, are not treating Gakpo as a one-off shot. Their interest is described as serious and would be part of a broader attacking rebuild that also features Savinho.

According to talkSPORT, Spurs are working on a move for the Brazilian winger as well as Gakpo. The idea is not one or the other; the club are exploring the possibility of both.

Savinho, currently on Manchester City’s books, has already made his intentions known. He has informed City that he wants to join Spurs this summer, having been open to the switch as far back as last year when Tottenham’s interest first surfaced.

The complication sits in the City boardroom. At present, City are not willing to sanction a sale. Any deal depends entirely on a change of stance from the champions, who may yet look to sign another attacker of their own but are still resisting the idea of letting Savinho go.

Talks between City and Spurs have rumbled on throughout the summer without a breakthrough. For now, Savinho’s desire is clear, Tottenham’s intent is clear, but City’s position is just as firm as Liverpool’s.

A window defined by resistance

Tottenham want to arm Postecoglou with more firepower. They have identified targets, opened conversations and, in Savinho’s case, won the player’s approval.

Yet the pattern is unmistakable. Liverpool will not budge on Gakpo until they buy. Manchester City will not budge on Savinho until they decide they can live without him.

Spurs are serious. Their ambition is not in doubt. The question is whether the clubs holding the cards are prepared to loosen their grip before this window slams shut.