Tottenham have now made their first official bid for Cody Gakpo, and confidence around a deal with Liverpool is now growing.
Spurs have offered more than €69m (£60m) for the 27-year-old. Liverpool are considering the proposal, while reports in the Netherlands suggest a transfer is becoming a realistic prospect.
Netherlands’ SoccerNews brings the news of the offer, citing sources in England close to Tottenham.
Liverpool have Tottenham bid on the table
Cody Gakpo is now the subject of a concrete proposal after Tottenham stepped up their pursuit.
SoccerNews says the opening offer is worth more than €69m (£60m). Liverpool haven’t rejected it and currently have the bid under consideration.
The Dutch website expects the Reds to turn it down, believing they will try to get more money from Spurs.
That hasn’t stopped optimism growing elsewhere. Voetbal International journalist Joost Blaauwhof says there’s a growing belief among “all parties” that Gakpo moving to Tottenham is becoming “very realistic”.
He goes further and says the chances of the transfer succeeding are now considered high. There’s one obvious hurdle remaining – Liverpool still have to agree.
Voetbal International then backed that up in their own report. They state all parties are counting on a positive outcome. There’s an agreement in principle between Gakpo and Tottenham.
De Zerbi hasn’t let Gakpo go
Cody Gakpo has remained firmly in Roberto De Zerbi’s plans throughout Tottenham’s work in the market.
Blaauwhof says the Spurs manager has never let go of his pursuit of the Netherlands international.
“It’s Gakpo all the way,” is how the journalist describes De Zerbi’s position.
SoccerNews also has positive information from the player’s side. They say their own English sources confirm Gakpo is open to leaving Liverpool.
The website adds Tottenham had spent considerable time working on a move for Éli Junior Kroupi. After that deal fell through, Gakpo returned firmly to the agenda.
And Voetbal International says De Zerbi wants to work with Gakpo even if Spurs also manage to sign Savinho from Manchester City.
For now, Liverpool’s response to the €69m+ (£60m+) proposal is the key part still missing. Maybe they’re just waiting for a breakthrough on the Barcola deal.
Tottenham have made their move, Gakpo is open to it, and reports in the Netherlands now suggest those involved see a genuine chance of getting the transfer done.
Sportwitness
Football transfer news from the across the world.