Tottenham Targets Gakpo as Liverpool Eyes Barcola
Tottenham’s new era under Roberto De Zerbi is beginning to take shape, and the next piece he wants on the board is clear: Cody Gakpo.
Sky Sports report that Spurs have identified the Liverpool forward as one of their primary attacking targets for this summer, with De Zerbi pushing for at least one wide forward after moves to bolster midfield and defence. He wants pace, direct running, and goals from the flanks. Gakpo ticks all three boxes.
Liverpool, though, are in no rush to open the door. The Netherlands international has four years left on his contract and remains a valued part of their attacking rotation. The club are described as reluctant to sell unless they first secure a replacement, a stance that immediately raises the price and complicates Tottenham’s plans.
That reluctance is not posturing. Liverpool are already lining up their own move on the winger market, with Sky Sports also reporting they are expected to make a formal approach for Paris Saint-Germain wide man Bradley Barcola. The 23-year-old France international would not come cheap: PSG value him at around £145million, a figure that underlines both his potential and the financial scale of any attacking rebuild at Anfield.
Barcola’s possible arrival would ripple across Europe. If Liverpool manage to land him, the path to Gakpo might open for Spurs. If they fail, De Zerbi could find himself staring at a firmly closed door.
There is another twist in the Gakpo picture. He is seen as one of the more seasoned forwards in Andoni Iraola’s squad and offers cover through the middle while Hugo Ekitike recovers from an Achilles injury. That versatility only strengthens Liverpool’s hand. Letting him go would mean replacing not just a left-sided threat, but a flexible attacking option at a time when squad depth is under scrutiny.
Tottenham are not limiting their search to Merseyside. They also hold strong interest in Manchester City winger Savinho, another electric wide option who fits De Zerbi’s preference for high-tempo, vertical football. Spurs are clearly determined to add cutting edge out wide before the window closes; the question is which elite club will be willing to deal.
While Spurs and Liverpool circle around their wide men, Arsenal are moving with more certainty in midfield. According to The Times, the Gunners are closing in on a deal for Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, with the Brazil international due to undergo a medical ahead of a transfer worth close to £80million.
It is the kind of signing that changes the feel of a squad. Guimaraes brings control, aggression, and creativity in the middle of the pitch, and prising him away from a direct rival would be a powerful statement of intent from Arsenal as they push to turn title challenges into trophies.
Newcastle, for their part, have already completed business of their own. The club have triggered the £25.7million release clause of Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, securing a new long-term option between the posts. It is a move that hints at planning for the future and increased competition in a key position as the Magpies try to stabilise after a turbulent campaign.
Fulham are also moving decisively, and they are looking to the Bernabeu. The west London club are poised to complete a double swoop on Real Madrid, with striker Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios both undergoing medicals ahead of permanent transfers. Two young talents, two permanent deals, and a clear sign that Fulham intend to build rather than simply survive.
From north London to Merseyside, from Tyneside to Madrid, the market is beginning to harden into real decisions. For Spurs, everything now hinges on whether Liverpool’s pursuit of Barcola unlocks Gakpo — or slams the window shut on De Zerbi’s first big attacking gamble.
