Image for The secret agreement between De Zerbi and Gakpo and why Liverpool blocked it
Image for The secret agreement between De Zerbi and Gakpo and why Liverpool blocked it
Liverpool’s priority heading into this summer transfer window was clear to anyone following events at Anfield: bring in top-tier quality out wide.
That pursuit hasn’t been without its frustrations. Having missed out on Yan Diomande who ultimately opted for Real Madrid the Reds turned their attention toward Bradley Barcola. However, with Paris Saint-Germain holding out for roughly £145m for their 23-year-old French international, severe doubts remain over whether sporting director Richard Hughes will meet that eye-watering valuation.
Add the £34m deal for Osasuna’s Victor Munoz into the mix, and the 2024/25 Premier League champions have already committed significant capital to their frontline. Unless further exits materialise, additional incoming moves for targets like Barcola or Ibrahim Mbaye look increasingly remote.
Naturally, that dynamic opened up speculation around outgoings. Federico Chiesa, 28, continues to be linked with a return to Serie A, though Italian clubs are almost certainly priced out by his salary and Liverpool’s valuation. Then there is Cody Gakpo.
The 27-year-old Dutchman emerged as a prime target for Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur, with reports indicating Gakpo was intrigued by the project and had given initial consent to the idea. But while Tottenham may be eager to strike a £60m deal, Liverpool have effectively paused on any transaction.
Despite taking plenty of heat from supporters after trailing off last term, the ex-PSV captain has enjoyed a sharp revival during pre-season. His goal and assist in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Como at Anfield showcased precisely why he fits Andoni Iraola’s high-intensity setup.
Liverpool simply cannot afford to let that quality walk out the door without a clear upgrade lined up. As detailed in a recent Football Insider report:
According to Football insider…
“They’ve not been getting a lot of encouragement from Liverpool that they’d be willing to sell. Spurs will be hoping that might change if Liverpool bring in their own attacking reinforcements. But as things stand right now, I don’t think Liverpool can afford to let Gakpo go, because they’re going to need him this season.
“Unless Liverpool bring in more players, I don’t think Andoni Iraola will be looking to leave his squad short by offloading somebody like Gakpo, so there are lots of hurdles for this one to overcome for Spurs to have any chance of landing Gakpo before the window closes.”
On the other end of the wire, De Zerbi is pushing hard. Reports from TEAMtalk suggest the Spurs boss has made a direct pitch to Gakpo’s camp, outlining a starring role on the left flank along with operational freedom centrally. The 54-cap Netherlands international is said to be ‘fully convinced’ by De Zerbi’s vision, having already agreed personal terms while Spurs prepare a formal approach this week.
Yet for all of Spurs’ intent, the ball remains firmly in Liverpool’s court. Gakpo who penned a £250k-per-week extension last year looks settled, sharp, and primed to play a vital part under Iraola this season. Unless Hughes pulls off a major signing late in the window, expect Gakpo to remain in red.