Cody Gakpo Moves Closer to Tottenham as De Zerbi Talks Progress

Cody Gakpo is moving closer to a possible switch to Tottenham Hotspur, with the Liverpool forward increasingly open to the move after holding direct talks with Roberto De Zerbi.

Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink reports that the Netherlands international spoke with the Spurs head coach last month and left those discussions receptive to the idea of heading to north London. The conversation has shifted the dynamic: Gakpo now knows exactly how De Zerbi sees him, and Tottenham know the player is willing to join their project.

Liverpool, crucially, are also understood to be more open to a sale than before, which drags this story out of the realm of speculation and into serious negotiation territory.

Direct talks with De Zerbi

Tottenham’s interest has accelerated in recent weeks. Earlier reporting from Voetbal International’s Joost Blaauwhof revealed that Spurs had formally registered their interest, with De Zerbi identifying Gakpo and Savinho as attackers who could offer different options within his fluid front line.

Elfrink has now added the key detail: the manager-player meeting has already happened.

On X, he wrote: “Gakpo has, according to a usually well-informed source, already spoken with the Spurs coach last month. After that, the conclusion was that he is definitely open to a transfer to Spurs. Liverpool now seems willing to go along with it. There's still good money in it for PSV, so interesting enough.”

That line matters on several fronts. De Zerbi has been able to outline his plans directly, likely explaining how Gakpo could operate from the left, inside as a second striker, or in various attacking roles. For a player who has sometimes looked between positions at Liverpool, that kind of clarity carries weight.

For Tottenham, it removes the biggest early obstacle. They are not trying to convince a hesitant player. They are working with one who is already listening.

Liverpool’s price tag sets the tone

The next battle is financial. SoccerNews report that Spurs have already tested the water with an opening proposal just north of £60 million. Liverpool are expected to reject that figure.

The Anfield hierarchy value Gakpo at around £70 million. That number would represent a strong profit on the fee paid to PSV Eindhoven when he arrived in January 2023, and it gives Liverpool a firm negotiating platform.

If Tottenham edge closer to that valuation, the deal becomes simple: meet the price, get the player.

Liverpool have little reason to fold early. Gakpo is a proven Premier League forward, comfortable off the left, through the middle or drifting between lines. For a squad preparing for another long, demanding season, that versatility is not easily replaced.

Barcola pursuit could tip the scales

One factor could push Liverpool towards a sale: Bradley Barcola.

Andoni Iraola’s first Liverpool squad is already undergoing a major attacking reshuffle. Mohamed Salah has gone, and the club are actively pursuing Paris Saint-Germain winger Barcola as part of the next phase of their rebuild.

If Liverpool make meaningful progress on Barcola, Gakpo’s future becomes a live issue. The club must balance numbers in Iraola’s forward unit, and a sizeable fee for Gakpo would help fund the next arrival while easing the congestion in attacking roles.

There is another layer. PSV stand to benefit financially from any move through the solidarity mechanism, as Elfrink notes, giving the Dutch club a watching brief with a vested interest in Spurs getting the deal done.

A deal that suits Spurs – but what about Liverpool?

All the ingredients for a transfer are starting to align. Tottenham want Gakpo. The player is open to joining. Liverpool are prepared to talk at the right price. The gap now is purely financial.

From a Liverpool perspective, £70 million is a compelling figure. On paper, it is the kind of offer that is hard to turn down, especially if the club believe they can swiftly reinvest in Barcola or another elite attacker.

The risk lies in the timing.

Liverpool are already in a delicate transition under Iraola. Losing Salah and then moving on another established forward in the same window invites turbulence. Gakpo has frustrated sections of the fanbase at times, and his form has not always matched his talent, but he brings goals, Premier League experience and the ability to cover multiple positions. Those traits often only get fully appreciated once they are gone.

There is also the uncomfortable reality of the destination. Strengthening Tottenham, a direct Premier League rival, is not a decision to take lightly. De Zerbi clearly believes he can unlock more from Gakpo; the early, proactive talks underline that.

For Liverpool, the equation is brutally simple. Cashing in at around £70 million is smart business only if the replacement is already lined up and ready to walk through the door. Without that, they risk watching Gakpo thrive in north London while still searching for the next piece of their own attacking puzzle.