Tottenham's Transfer Dilemma: Gakpo Stalls, Savinho Pursuit Intensifies

Tottenham’s pursuit of Cody Gakpo has hit a major snag, with a leading transfer reporter pouring cold water on the move – even as Spurs keep pushing hard for Manchester City winger Savinho.

Gakpo deal stalls as Liverpool stance hardens

For weeks, Gakpo has been at the heart of Tottenham’s attacking rebuild plans. Spurs have agreed personal terms with the Dutchman, according to TEAMtalk, and the player has informed Liverpool of his desire to leave. An opening bid of around £60m is understood to be on the table.

The logic from Liverpool’s side was clear enough: cashing in on Gakpo would help fund ambitious moves for Paris Saint-Germain wide pair Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, a double swoop that could cost close to £155m.

Then came the twist.

Alex Crook of talkSPORT has now thrown serious doubt over the transfer. Speaking to Last Word on Spurs, Crook revealed that Liverpool’s internal view has shifted in favour of keeping the forward under new boss Andoni Iraola.

“I don’t think it will happen,” Crook said. “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.

“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.”

Those comments cut directly against earlier claims from CaughtOffside, which suggested exits for both Gakpo and Curtis Jones were “getting closer”. Instead, Liverpool now appear prepared to back Iraola’s belief that he can unlock Gakpo’s full potential.

For Spurs, it leaves a key part of Roberto De Zerbi’s plan in limbo. The head coach wants both Gakpo and Savinho to spearhead his new-look attack. He may have to compromise.

Savinho talks intensify as price climbs

While the Gakpo chase cools, Tottenham’s pursuit of Savinho remains very much alive.

The Times report that Spurs are still in active negotiations with Manchester City over the Brazilian, having failed to get a deal over the line last summer. City are prepared to sell despite handing the 22-year-old a new contract in October, a decision that has clearly strengthened their hand at the bargaining table.

The Daily Mail claimed in July that Spurs were on the verge of finalising a £65m deal at the second attempt. That figure now looks light. According to The Times, City are holding out for around £85m, a sizeable jump that forces Tottenham to decide just how far they are willing to go.

Spurs have already agreed personal terms with Savinho, removing one major obstacle. The only question is the fee.

The numbers are big, but so are Tottenham’s recent statements of intent. Record-breaking deals for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have already underlined the club’s willingness to spend aggressively in this window. An £85m outlay on Savinho would fit that pattern, even if it means paying what many inside the game would view as an inflated price.

So the equation is stark. With Gakpo increasingly likely to stay at Liverpool, does Savinho become the marquee winger De Zerbi builds around – and will Spurs push all the way to meet City’s demands before the window slams shut?