Tottenham Hotspur’s summer under Roberto De Zerbi has been nothing short of spectacular. Armed with a £237 million war chest that has already secured three defenders, two midfielders, and a goalkeeper, the Italian tactician has rapidly reshaped the squad in his image. Yet, as the 2026/27 Premier League season looms, one crucial piece of the puzzle remains missing: a versatile, elite forward to complete the offensive line. Enter Cody Gakpo.
Recent reports—echoed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano—confirm that Spurs are now in direct talks with the Dutchman’s camp. While Liverpool initially closed the door on a move earlier in July, the landscape at Anfield is shifting. For Tottenham, the pursuit of Gakpo represents both a massive statement of intent and a calculated tactical gamble as they aim to disrupt the Premier League's established order.
The Data Behind De Zerbi’s Interest
At first glance, spending upward of £60 million on a player who endured a highly frustrating 2025/26 campaign might raise a few eyebrows across North London. Gakpo managed just nine goals and six assists in 52 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool last season. He found the back of the net only seven times in the Premier League, drawing the ire of a fanbase adjusting to the difficult reality of life without Mohamed Salah, who departed as a free agent.
But Matchwise’s underlying data paints a picture that perfectly aligns with De Zerbi’s meticulous tactical philosophy. De Zerbi’s system demands fluidity, intricate build-up play from the back, and attackers who can operate comfortably in tight half-spaces. Unlike traditional wingers who hug the touchline to stretch the pitch, Gakpo thrives when drifting inside to overload central areas. His ability to drop deep, link play, and execute quick interchanges under pressure makes him an ideal candidate for a possession-dominant side.
With Tottenham having moved away from earlier pursuits like Manchester City's Savinho, sporting director Johan Lange and the recruitment team see Gakpo as more than just a left-winger. He is viewed as a tactical chameleon capable of playing on the left flank, operating as a false nine, or even slotting in as a highly progressive central attacker. De Zerbi reportedly sees the 27-year-old as an "exceptional player" who constitutes the ultimate missing link in his offensive structure.
The Anfield Domino Effect
So, why would Liverpool be willing to sell a player entering his prime? The arrival of Andoni Iraola in the Anfield dugout has brought a sweeping tactical evolution. Iraola is eager to reconstruct an attack that often looked stale and predictable last season. Having already brought in Víctor Muñoz from Osasuna to inject fresh energy, Liverpool’s hierarchy are now heavily prioritizing a blockbuster move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, alongside concrete interest in Ibrahim Mbaye.
To fund moves for Barcola and Mbaye—and to balance the squad’s strict non-homegrown registration limits—a high-profile departure is increasingly necessary. Gakpo is currently the odd man out in a highly congested left-sided setup that also features the continued emergence of academy jewel Rio Ngumoha. If Tottenham are willing to meet Liverpool’s valuation, which would push Spurs' total summer expenditure near the £300 million mark, it solves a massive headache for the Merseysiders while directly funding their own rebuild.
A Risk Worth Taking for Spurs?
There is an inherent risk in signing a player whose confidence took a noticeable battering last season. The transition periods at Liverpool left Gakpo looking like a player without a clearly defined role, constantly shuffled around the pitch to plug tactical gaps rather than being deployed to maximize his inherent strengths.
However, De Zerbi is famously adept at resurrecting careers and giving attackers highly specific, repeatable patterns of play to follow. Gakpo’s raw metrics—specifically his progressive carries, his shot-creating actions from open play, and his spatial intelligence—remain elite when isolated from his finishing slump. Placed into a structured, highly choreographed environment where he is tasked with linking up alongside the likes of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, the Netherlands international could easily rediscover the blistering form that made him so coveted at PSV Eindhoven.
For Tottenham, the decision will ultimately come down to the financial package. A £60 million-plus fee for a player from an inter-league rival is steep, and Liverpool hold the cards with Gakpo contracted until 2030. But elite versatility comes at a premium in the modern game. If De Zerbi truly views the Dutchman as the missing link to transform Spurs into genuine contenders, the club must strike now while Liverpool’s eyes are locked on Paris.