Tottenham's Gakpo Pursuit Hits Snag Amid Savinho Negotiations

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

Gakpo deal stalls as Liverpool stance hardens

Tottenham have been circling Gakpo for weeks, seeing the Dutchman as a marquee addition to Roberto De Zerbi’s attack and a potential catalyst for further business across the market.

Spurs were confident enough to move deep into talks. TEAMtalk revealed on Saturday that the club had agreed personal terms with Gakpo and that the player had informed Liverpool of his desire to leave. An opening offer worth £60m was being lined up, a fee that would have given Liverpool serious room to manoeuvre.

That money matters. Liverpool are exploring ambitious moves for Paris Saint-Germain wingers Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, a duo who could cost around £155m combined. A substantial sale such as Gakpo’s would go a long way to funding that kind of double swoop.

Then came the pushback.

Alex Crook of talkSPORT has now cast serious doubt over the transfer. Speaking to Last Word on Spurs, Crook delivered a blunt assessment of where things stand from Liverpool’s side.

“I don’t think it will happen,” he 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 across an earlier line from CaughtOffside, which had suggested exits for both Gakpo and Curtis Jones were “getting closer”. Instead, Liverpool appear increasingly inclined to keep Gakpo, buoyed by his form and fit under new boss Andoni Iraola.

For Spurs, it leaves an awkward reality: De Zerbi wants Gakpo, but he may have to park that ambition.

Savinho chase intensifies

If one door is closing, another remains firmly ajar.

The Times report that Tottenham are still in active negotiations with Manchester City over Savinho, a player they tried and failed to land last summer. The Brazilian signed a new contract with City in October, yet the Premier League champions are prepared to cash in at the right price.

The numbers are escalating. Back in July, the Daily Mail claimed Spurs were set to finalise Savinho’s signing for £65m at the second attempt. That figure has not survived the summer.

According to The Times, City are now holding out for £85m. It is a significant jump, and it forces Spurs to decide just how far they are willing to go for a 22-year-old who is still in the early chapters of his top-level career.

Tottenham have already shown this window that they are prepared to punch hard in the market. Record-breaking deals for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have underlined the scale of their ambition and the backing De Zerbi is receiving.

That context matters when judging City’s stance. An £85m price tag for Savinho looks inflated on paper, but Spurs have already agreed personal terms with the winger and clearly view him as a central piece of their rebuild. The structure of the squad is being reshaped around De Zerbi’s aggressive, front-foot style; Savinho’s profile fits that blueprint.

The pressure finally lands on Tottenham’s decision-makers. With Gakpo’s route increasingly blocked by Liverpool’s renewed faith in him, does Savinho become the winger they simply have to bring through the door, whatever the premium?