Tottenham have already flexed their financial muscle this summer, but Roberto De Zerbi still seems to feel his squad rebuild isn’t quite complete up front.
Spurs have focused heavily on strengthening the spine of the team, bringing in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes to add control and energy in midfield, while Andy Robertson’s arrival has brought proven top-flight experience to the back line. That level of investment makes sense given the context — De Zerbi took charge of a side that finished 17th last season and only just avoided relegation, so a swift squad overhaul was always going to be a priority.
Even with all that spending, though, Tottenham’s attack still looks like a work in progress. The club have been chasing Manchester City’s Savinho and have also explored a move for former Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun, suggesting De Zerbi wants more pace, creativity and tactical variety to support Dominic Solanke, Richarlison and the soon-to-return Mohammed Kudus.
One name that keeps resurfacing in that search is Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman would give De Zerbi real flexibility — comfortable cutting in from the left onto his right foot, but equally capable through the middle as an out-and-out striker, which suits a coach who likes his attackers rotating positions. At 27, he’d also bring a level of experience Tottenham are short on, having long since established himself as a reliable Premier League operator since his January 2023 move from PSV.
His time at Anfield started steadily — seven goals in 26 games in his first months — before growing into a more central figure in the side. His best campaign came in 2024/25, netting 18 goals in all competitions as Liverpool won the title, including a goal against Spurs on the very day the championship was clinched. Last season was quieter by comparison, with nine goals and six assists in 52 appearances, though his value goes beyond raw numbers thanks to his versatility, ball-carrying and willingness to play in multiple roles — exactly the kind of adaptable presence Tottenham are missing.
The obstacle, though, is clear: Liverpool have little incentive to sell. Gakpo signed a new long-term deal last August worth a reported £250,000 a week, and with the Reds reshaping their own front line under Andoni Iraola, there’s no strong signal they need to cash in on him. Any move would likely require a hefty offer from Tottenham to even get talks started.
Still, recent reports suggest Spurs are taking the pursuit seriously. Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg says Tottenham are now in “very concrete” talks over Gakpo and have made contact with Liverpool to gauge the possibility of a deal — language that suggests this has moved beyond simple monitoring. That said, sources close to the player have reportedly denied any agreement is in place, either on personal terms or between the clubs, so this remains more exploratory than advanced for now.
The interest still fits De Zerbi’s broader plan of building an attack capable of pushing much higher up the table after last season’s struggles, with Gakpo’s blend of experience, versatility and goal threat ticking plenty of boxes. Tottenham have shown they’re willing to spend big to reshape the squad, and if De Zerbi gets his way, Gakpo could yet become one of the final pieces of that attacking rebuild.
For Liverpool, though, this is unlikely to be straightforward — Gakpo remains a proven Premier League forward with years left on his deal, meaning Spurs will probably need to come in strong to force serious talks. Whether the interest turns into a concrete bid, or Gakpo stays put at Anfield, should become clearer in the weeks ahead. For now, the takeaway from north London is simple: De Zerbi wants more attacking firepower, and Tottenham don’t look done searching for it.
