Tottenham Hotspur need to act. The Premier League season kicks off in less than two weeks, but Spurs are yet to strengthen in attack.
Spurs fans were treated to a ‘bomba’ or two earlier in the window. The north London side beat Manchester United to the signing of Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese star was their club-record signing for a few days before Sandro Tonali completed his monster-move to the capital.
They have brought in Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi from Brighton and Hove Albion, Liverpool and Bournemouth, respectively. Martin Dubravka joined as backup for Antonin Kinsky, who recently penned a new contract. Pedro Porro also extended his deal prior to winning the 2026 World Cup, while Micky van de Ven is set to follow suit.
So, the defence and midfield are covered. Yet with a little over a month until the summer window closes, the forward line has been neglected.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Tottenham keen on Gakpo
Of course, it could be that Tottenham are making moves behind the scenes. Operating in the shadows to identify the right player to take Spurs to the next level. One thing’s for sure – it won’t be the ongoing pursuit of Cody Gakpo.
The Dutchman has emerged as a top target for head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Liverpool won’t let the Netherlands international leave on the cheap, of course. This comes despite the signing of Victor Munoz, the impending arrival of Bradley Barcola combined with Gakpo’s sub-par season.
Gakpo managed 12 direct goal involvements in the Premier League last season, scoring seven times. It wasn’t a great return for Liverpool in their direct title defence. Then again, few at Anfield really covered themselves in glory in Arne Slot’s second, and final, season on Merseyside.
Additionally, Gakpo was asked to play a similar role to Luis Diaz from the left. It didn’t suit the 27-year-old’s style. The former PSV forward may be quick off the mark, but he can’t sustain that level in the same mould as his ex-Colombian teammate.
Versatility key
Then again, Gakpo is a multi-faceted forward who is capable of carrying out multiple roles on the frontline. Andoni Iraola is a fan of these versatile operators. The Spaniard turned Antoine Semenyo into one of the Premier League’s best forwards. Granted, both Gakpo and Semenyo are different profiles entirely, but you get the point.
It’s this ability to play a handful of roles that appeals to De Zerbi. The Italian favours a 4-2-3-1 setup. He wants his wingers to cut inside and his full-backs to overlap. What’s more, he wants his leading striker to do more than put the ball in the back of the net. Rather, the forward is there to also link up with teammates.
Danny Welbeck worked well under De Zerbi. Mason Greenwood did, too, at Marseille, for the reason they do more than come alive inside the opposition box. It’s for that reason that De Zerbi has shown an interest in Gakpo.
The Liverpool man is a highly technical operator who works well in tight areas. He’s not going to surge down the flanks in the same vein as Diaz or potential new Tottenham teammate Mohammed Kudus. Rather, he’s better suited in the thick of the action, maximising his commendable close control to help hold off markers and bring others into play.
Gakpo’s effective linkup play
The willingness to drop deeper drags a defender out of position, opening up space for the wingers to exploit. Considering De Zerbi’s desire to have the wideman cut infield, Gakpo’s style suits the Italian’s demands.
Factor in Gakpo’s efforts to provide for teammates, and the interest in the Reds man is understandable. Indeed, Gakpo created a respectable 1.8 chances per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season. Only Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah fared better for Liverpool.
Compared to De Zerbi’s current striker options, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke, Gakpo also ranked higher for touches in the opposition box per 90 (6.2). Admittedly, Gakpo played in a more forward-thinking Liverpool side. Richarlison and Solanke, for the most part, featured under the reactive Thomas Frank.
Even so, Gakpo performed better despite featuring predominately from the left flank. On the face of it, interest in Gakpo hardly sets the pulses racing. Links with Omar Marmoush and Victor Osimhen are more appealing to supporters.
However, Gakpo is a multi-positional forward who can not only operate from the left and up front, but as a second striker and in the number 10 role. The ability to play as a nine-and-a-half is precisely why De Zerbi is keen on the Liverpool man.
Factor in his defensive value, and the reasoning behind Tottenham’s interest in Gakpo is sound. If Tottenham and Liverpool can agree a fee for the Dutchman, then he’ll be a handy pick up by De Zerbi’s. Most importantly, he’ll be an upgrade on the current attacking options at the 47-year-old’s disposal.