Manchester United Considering Move for Cody Gakpo Amid Tottenham Interest

Manchester United’s long-standing admiration for Cody Gakpo has flickered back into life, with the Liverpool forward again on their radar – but Tottenham are the club currently making the real noise.

Gakpo arrives at this point in his Liverpool career at an awkward crossroads. His numbers dipped last season: nine goals and six assists in 52 appearances, a clear drop from the 18 goals and seven assists he produced in 49 games the year before. For a player signed to be a key attacking force, that regression has not gone unnoticed.

Yet the wider picture is more complex. On the biggest stage of all, the World Cup, Gakpo reminded everyone why Europe’s elite once jostled for his signature. Three goals and one assist in four matches underlined his ability to rise with the occasion, even if the Netherlands’ campaign ended abruptly with a shock round-of-32 exit to Morocco.

At Anfield, the demands on him may soon increase again. Liverpool need Gakpo to step up next season, potentially even as a central striker. With Hugo Ekitike sidelined until at least January after rupturing his Achilles, the club will look for greater flexibility and output in the forward line, and Gakpo is one of the obvious candidates to fill that void.

Yet his name refuses to stay out of the gossip columns. Tottenham have added him to their winger shortlist. Manchester United, who once came close to landing him, are being linked once more with a move that would send shockwaves through English football.

Speaking to The United Stand, reporter Ben Jacobs underlined just how long United have tracked the Dutchman, while also pouring cold water on the idea that a deal is close.

“He has always been somewhat appreciated, but we know that Man Utd and Liverpool just don’t really do business,” Jacobs said. “So, whether or not that could possibly get off the ground, I’m not so sure.

“There are denials, despite recent reports in the Netherlands, that Gakpo has asked in any way, shape, or form to leave.

“So, Liverpool are quite calm about the situation, but Tottenham might consider that deal. And all we can say is Man Utd loved Gakpo before he joined Liverpool.”

That last line cuts to the heart of United’s regret. Back in 2022, then-manager Erik ten Hag pushed hard for Gakpo after he had exploded at PSV, becoming the standout talent in Eindhoven and one of Europe’s most exciting wide forwards. United hesitated. Liverpool did not.

In December of that year, Liverpool struck a £35m agreement with PSV, sealing a January transfer and snatching a player many at Old Trafford believed would be tailor-made for Ten Hag’s system. Since then, United have continued to monitor his progress from a distance, but the power dynamic has changed. Any move now would involve crossing one of English football’s fiercest divides.

For that reason alone, Tottenham sense opportunity. While United wrestle with the politics and the rarity of direct deals between the two rivals, Spurs have quietly positioned themselves as the most realistic destination should Gakpo push for a fresh start.

Jacobs framed it bluntly: “If Gakpo specifically asks to leave Liverpool, then let’s see whether Premier League clubs come forward. And it seems like Tottenham are the most concrete suitor.”

Spurs’ interest is not limited to Gakpo. He sits on a shortlist that also includes Rafael Leao, Savinho and Antonio Nusa, underlining the club’s determination to add another high-impact wide forward. In that group, Gakpo offers something different: Premier League experience, tactical versatility, and the profile of a player who has already handled the glare of both Anfield and a World Cup.

Liverpool’s stance is clear enough for now. They are not actively pushing him towards the exit door. There is no formal transfer request, no public agitation, no breakdown in relations. But they are not blind to the market either. An offer in the region of £70m or more would force a serious conversation in the boardroom.

So the situation hangs in the balance. A forward whose numbers dipped but whose ceiling remains high. A club that needs him to rise again, yet would listen if the money is right. A long-time admirer in Manchester United, constrained by rivalry and history. And a hungry Tottenham side, edging ahead in the queue.

If Gakpo does decide he wants a new chapter, the next move he makes will say plenty about where the power really lies in the Premier League’s new attacking arms race.