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Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with Liverpool over a deal for Cody Gakpo, but the Reds are demanding around €70m and the Dutch winger must decide if he wants to leave Anfield. Meanwhile, Spurs are also eyeing Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson.
Tottenham Hotspur are not messing about this summer. After already splashing £237m on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Jan Paul van Hecke, and snapping up Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Martin Dubravka on free transfers, Spurs are far from done. Now, Ange Postecoglou's side have turned their attention to one of the most intriguing attacking targets on the market: Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo.
According to reports, Tottenham have made contact with Liverpool over a potential deal for the Dutch international. There is a sum ready on the table from the north London club, but Liverpool are playing hardball, with their asking price sitting at around €70m. And here is the twist that makes this saga worth watching closely: Gakpo is reportedly happy at Anfield and is tied down until 2030. This one comes down to the player himself.
Let's be honest. Liverpool are under absolutely no pressure to sell. Gakpo still has four years left on his deal, and the club has given no indication they want to part with him. That puts Tottenham in a difficult negotiating position. They can wave money around all they like, but unless Gakpo decides he wants a new challenge, this deal is going nowhere.
For Gakpo, the question is simple but significant. Does he want guaranteed minutes and a central role in Tottenham's attack? Or does he prefer to stay and fight for his place at a club with deeper Champions League pedigree? His decision will shape the trajectory of both clubs heading into the 2026-27 season.
Gakpo is not the only forward Tottenham are circling. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the club has discussed a move for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson internally as they look to bolster their attacking options before the transfer window slams shut. Jackson, still a Chelsea player, is attracting interest from multiple directions. Aston Villa have also identified him as a priority target, though any deal involving Villa would need to be a permanent transfer due to their existing loan arrangement with Chelsea.
The competition for Jackson adds another layer of complexity to Tottenham's summer plans. If they cannot land Gakpo, Jackson could become the fallback. Or perhaps Spurs are ambitious enough to push for both.
What is remarkable about this window for Tottenham is the sheer volume and ambition of their business. Six signings already, a combination of shrewd free-agent pickups and blockbuster buys. Robertson brings experience and leadership at left-back. Tonali, arriving for a significant fee, represents a statement signing in midfield. Fernandes and van Hecke add quality and depth in key positions.
But attackers win you trophies, and that is clearly where Spurs feel they still need reinforcement. Adding someone of Gakpo's quality, a player who has delivered in the Premier League, the Champions League, and on the international stage with the Netherlands, would signal that Tottenham are serious about closing the gap on the division's elite.
This story is far from over. Liverpool will not make it easy, and the €70m price tag is designed to either scare Tottenham off or make them pay through the nose. Tottenham have shown this summer that they are willing to spend big, but whether they are willing to meet Liverpool's valuation remains to be seen. The decisive factor? Cody Gakpo. If he pushes for the move, the dynamics shift dramatically. If he stays put, Spurs will need to look elsewhere. Either way, this is one of the most compelling transfer sagas of the summer window, and it is not finished yet.
Jon
