Tottenham are shifting their focus to the attacking end of the pitch after making solid progress elsewhere in the squad during a hectic summer window. Roberto De Zerbi is keen to add more creativity, versatility and firepower up front, with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Manchester City’s Savinho standing out as the club’s two leading targets.
Spurs’ interest in Gakpo dates back to June, and they have now intensified their efforts by opening direct talks with his representatives to gauge whether a deal is achievable. The Dutchman is seen as a key target largely because of his adaptability, with the ability to play across the front line, through the middle or in a deeper attacking role — qualities that would suit De Zerbi’s vision for a more fluid Tottenham attack, even though negotiations remain far from straightforward.
Alongside that, Tottenham have reignited their pursuit of Savinho, a player they tried to sign last summer before he stayed at City. That interest has resurfaced this window, and the Brazilian is said to be enthusiastic about a move to north London and the chance to work under De Zerbi. Spurs have made encouraging headway in talks and will be hoping to get an agreement over the line, with Savinho’s pace and directness offering another dimension to the attack.
Crucially, landing Savinho wouldn’t necessarily rule out a Gakpo deal, since Tottenham see the two as complementary rather than interchangeable. Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof has indicated that De Zerbi envisages distinct roles for each player, reinforcing the idea that both could feature prominently rather than compete for the same slot. Bringing in both would mark a real show of ambition, giving the Italian more tactical options and rotation depth.
The Gakpo deal remains the tougher of the two, with Liverpool unlikely to sanction a sale unless they first secure adequate cover elsewhere. Liverpool are already pushing hard for PSG’s Bradley Barcola and have shown interest in Ibrahim Mbaye too, and progress on either front could soften their stance on Gakpo and open a path for Spurs.
Beyond the two headline targets, Tottenham are also weighing up a move for former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, who could cost in the region of €60 million — underlining just how far the club are prepared to go to bolster their attacking options.
There may be outgoings too, with Galatasaray reportedly eyeing a serious approach for Mathys Tel, whose future at the club looks increasingly unclear. Tel has already voiced frustration over limited game time, and that could deepen further if Spurs land both Gakpo and Savinho, potentially prompting a rethink on both sides before the window closes.
With so much in motion, the next stretch of the window looks pivotal for Tottenham as they try to finalise deals for Gakpo and Savinho, weigh up Balogun as a further option, and navigate Tel’s uncertain situation. Should Spurs manage to add Savinho while keeping the Gakpo pursuit alive, De Zerbi could end up with a significantly stronger and more flexible attacking unit heading into the new season.
