Tottenham Submit £60m Cody Gakpo Bid as Liverpool Consider Sale
Tottenham Hotspur have taken the first meaningful step towards signing Cody Gakpo, with an opening offer worth just over £60 million reportedly submitted to Liverpool.
According to SoccerNews, Spurs have turned their long standing interest in the Netherlands international into a formal proposal, placing Liverpool in a significant position as the closing stages of the summer transfer window approach.
Roberto De Zerbi is looking to reshape Tottenham’s attack, and Gakpo has emerged as one of his preferred options for the left side. Manchester City winger Savinho has also been strongly linked with Spurs, potentially giving De Zerbi two major additions to his attacking group.
For Liverpool, the decision surrounding Gakpo could have consequences well beyond one player’s future.
Liverpool Expected to Reject Tottenham Opening Bid
SoccerNews reports that Tottenham’s first offer is slightly above £60 million. Liverpool are considering the proposal, although the expectation is that the bid will be rejected as the club seek a higher fee.
Photo: IMAGO
That position feels entirely reasonable.
Gakpo is 27, has considerable Premier League experience and remains under Liverpool’s control. This is hardly a situation where the club should feel compelled to accept the first substantial figure placed on the table.
The Dutchman recorded seven goals and five assists across 36 Premier League appearances last season, numbers which were respectable without reaching the level Liverpool might have hoped for from one of their senior attacking players.
He has now made more than 130 competitive appearances for the club since arriving from PSV Eindhoven.
There is also reportedly encouragement from the player’s side. Gakpo is said to be open to leaving Anfield, with sources in England and those close to Tottenham apparently supporting the suggestion that a transfer is possible.
That matters. Transfers tend to accelerate rapidly once the buying club, selling club and player all see a potential route towards an agreement.
Bradley Barcola Could Shape Liverpool Decision
Liverpool’s interest in Bradley Barcola adds another important layer to the situation.
The Paris Saint Germain forward currently sits towards the front of Liverpool’s attacking shortlist as Andoni Iraola continues reshaping a squad inherited following Arne Slot’s departure in May.
Moving Gakpo could therefore provide Liverpool with both additional funds and squad space for another major attacking signing.
There is a sensible economic argument for considering the sale. Gakpo remains at an age where his transfer value should be significant, and receiving substantially more than £60 million would give Liverpool considerable flexibility.
The sporting calculation is more delicate.
Liverpool cannot afford to weaken Iraola’s attacking options without having the replacement ready. Selling first and hoping to complete another difficult transfer afterwards would introduce unnecessary risk, particularly with the Premier League season approaching.
Tottenham clearly believe there is a deal to be done. Their first offer now gives Liverpool something tangible to consider.
If Spurs return with an improved proposal, Liverpool may soon have a genuine decision to make.
Our View, Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this feels like potentially excellent business if Tottenham are prepared to increase their offer.
Gakpo has been a useful Liverpool player. He has scored important goals, played several positions and rarely caused any problems away from the pitch. There should be appreciation for what he has contributed.
At the same time, a fee significantly above £60 million for a 27 year old who scored seven Premier League goals last season deserves serious consideration.
Liverpool are rebuilding their attack under Andoni Iraola, and Bradley Barcola would appear to fit the direction the club wants to travel. He offers explosive pace, one against one quality and greater potential to develop alongside Liverpool’s younger attacking players.
There is also something encouraging about Liverpool being prepared to make difficult decisions with established squad members. Successful rebuilding requires knowing when a player’s market value provides an opportunity.
If Tottenham eventually reach £70 million or beyond, I would be very pleased to see Liverpool accept, provided Barcola or another elite attacker is effectively lined up.
Gakpo has served Liverpool well, and supporters should recognise that. Yet football squads evolve quickly.
Receiving a major fee, reinvesting it into a younger forward and giving Iraola an attack shaped around his own tactical demands could make this one of the smartest pieces of Liverpool’s summer business.