Liverpool Firm on Cody Gakpo as Tottenham Eyes Savinho
Liverpool look ready to slam the door on Tottenham’s move for Cody Gakpo – and that could push Roberto De Zerbi firmly into Manchester City’s arms over Savinho.
Liverpool dig in over Gakpo
Spurs thought they had done the hard part. Personal terms with Gakpo are understood to be agreed, the player has told Liverpool he wants to go, and a £60million offer is being lined up for the 27-year-old.
Liverpool’s stance is the problem.
The Anfield club value the Dutchman at a minimum of £60m and potentially closer to £70m. After an up-and-down campaign last season, Gakpo rebuilt his confidence on the biggest stage, scoring three times at the World Cup before the Netherlands’ shock exit to Morocco. Under new boss Andoni Iraola, his stock has risen again.
“I don’t think it will happen. Speaking to sources at Liverpool they think he’s had a good pre-season under Iraola, they think he’s a player that Iraola can get the best out of,” Crook said.
“I think he probably would be open to the move, but at the moment that’s not one I expect to happen between now and deadline day.”
So even with Gakpo keen, Liverpool’s belief that Iraola can unlock his best form is driving a hard line. Spurs can test that resolve, but right now the message from Merseyside is clear: hands off.
De Zerbi turns the spotlight on Savinho
Tottenham’s rebuild under De Zerbi has already reshaped the spine of the team, with reinforcements in defence and midfield. The Italian now wants his wide forwards sorted – and he has been bold.
He has asked the club to go for both Gakpo and Savinho, viewing them as flexible, high-quality attackers who can operate across the front line and raise the overall level of the squad.
With Gakpo looking increasingly out of reach, the focus sharpens on Savinho.
Spurs have agreed personal terms with the Brazilian and have been here before. They held talks last summer but City refused to cash in, and Savinho later signed a new deal at the Etihad. That contract hasn’t scared Tottenham off; it has only raised the stakes.
According to The Times, Spurs are in active discussions with City over a huge £85m move. Only a few weeks ago, the expectation was that the 22-year-old might cost in the region of £60-65m. The numbers have ballooned.
The pressure finally tells in the form of a decision: if Tottenham want Savinho, they will likely have to pay at the very top end of that new valuation.
For a club that has already shown its teeth in the market with big-money captures like Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, an £85m swing for Savinho would be another clear statement that De Zerbi is being backed to chase European football again.
If Liverpool keep Gakpo and City drive a hard bargain on Savinho, the question for Spurs is simple and brutal: how far are they really willing to go to arm De Zerbi with the firepower he wants?
