Liverpool told to sell their star amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Cody Gakpo has been a sly narrative this season, and it received fresh oxygen this week when former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey urged Andoni Iraola’s side to make what he called a “cold-hearted” decision and sell the Dutchman this window. That is as per CaughtOffside.
Spurs’ interest in the player predates his move to the Premier League, back during the 2022 World Cup. He was among the best players in that tournament and attracted a lot of interest from numerous Premier League clubs, including the Lilywhites. This term, though, interest dates back to June, when reports first emerged of an offer being prepared worth around £70m.
Since then, the story has followed a familiar pattern: genuine interest confirmed by reputable sources, a Liverpool hierarchy publicly unmoved, and little sign of a formal bid actually landing. Fabrizio Romano described the door as “closed” from Liverpool’s side as recently as the start of July, with the club instead prioritising a move for Bradley Barcola.
Gakpo’s underlying numbers make the case for Tottenham’s interest easy to understand and Liverpool’s reluctance harder to defend. He managed just nine goals in 52 appearances last season, down sharply from 18 the year before, in a campaign where Liverpool’s title defence collapsed around him. He looked considerably sharper for the Netherlands at the World Cup, scoring twice before their surprise last-32 exit to Morocco, which is presumably part of what has kept his valuation stubbornly high. With Mo Salah no longer around, the Reds might also see themselves forced to retain Gakpo’s services and later take a decision.
Spurs desperately need an attacker!
Whatever Liverpool decide, this remains an area Tottenham cannot afford to leave unresolved. The left-hand side of the attack has looked threadbare since Son Heung-min’s departure, and De Zerbi has been explicit that he wants both a left winger and a striker before the window closes.
The club have already spent heavily and sensibly to fix the spine of the team, more than £237m across Van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, plus free transfers for Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka. That work has been well received. The attacking business is where the summer will ultimately see itself judged, and right now Spurs are still waiting on their marquee forward additions with pre-season well underway.
Will Cody Gakpo come as the Son Heung-min replacement Tottenham desperately need?
Will Cody Gakpo come as the Son Heung-min replacement Tottenham desperately need?
Punditry urging Liverpool to sell is not the same as Liverpool actually deciding to sell, and it is worth being honest about that distinction rather than treating every fresh quote as momentum. Heskey’s comments make sense on the merits. Gakpo’s numbers do not currently justify Liverpool’s asking price, and Iraola has other priorities in that position.
But Tottenham have now spent quite a few weeks circling a player whose own club has shown no urgency to move him on, and there has to be a point where patience becomes a wasted summer. If Gakpo arrives at a sensible fee, he solves a genuine problem. If he does not, Spurs cannot afford to enter August still hoping this one comes good.