Tottenham remain in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer, and a fresh report has now revealed how much it could take to tempt Liverpool into selling Cody Gakpo.
Last week, Roberto De Zerbi insisted Tottenham’s business was not yet complete, teasing supporters by saying another “bomba” was still to come before the transfer window closes.
That remark quickly went viral across social media, with Spurs fans trying to work out which player the Italian was referring to. De Zerbi played down the excitement during his next press conference, but he still admitted that Tottenham are expecting another two or three arrivals before the September 1 deadline.
And one name that has returned to the spotlight is Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo with Tottenham insider Paul O’Keefe recently claiming that the Dutch international is currently ‘the leading contender’ among the club’s attacking targets.
Liverpool set £72m Cody Gakpo price tag amid Tottenham links
Fabrizio Romano reported earlier this summer that Liverpool had not “opened the doors” to Gakpo’s departure, while the player himself has also given no indication that he wants to leave despite concerns over his place in Andoni Iraola’s pecking order.
At the same time, both Romano and Ben Jacobs have consistently maintained that if Liverpool were ever to soften their stance, Tottenham would be ‘the most concrete suitor’ for the Netherlands international.
That scenario may now be edging closer, as according to Anfield Watch, Liverpool have placed a £72m (€85m) valuation on Gakpo.
Considering they signed him for a fee reported to be between £35m and £45m in 2022, while he also remains under contract until the summer of 2030, there is understandably little pressure on the Merseyside club to accept anything below their asking price.
The report adds that Liverpool have used Anthony Gordon’s €80m (£69.3m) move to Barcelona as a benchmark when determining Gakpo’s valuation, believing the Dutch International should command an even higher fee in the current market given he is a bit more proven than the Englishman.
Liverpool’s stance on Cody Gakpo may no longer be as firm
Arne Slot’s departure and the arrival of Andoni Iraola have naturally brought a change in ideas at Anfield, with the new Liverpool head coach understood to favour explosive, direct wide players.
Outside of highly rated 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool are not blessed with many natural wingers fitting that profile, particularly after Mohamed Salah’s high-profile departure earlier this summer.
As a result, the Reds have already been linked with several big names, including Yan Diomande, who is heading to Real Madrid, while PSG star Bradley Barcola has also emerged as a leading target.
Barcola, who is valued at around £145m by the French champions after winning back-to-back Champions League titles and impressing for France at the World Cup with 3 goals, is viewed as Liverpool’s dream signing.
However, TEAMtalk report that Liverpool have no intention of overpaying for Barcola and therefore Gakpo is expected to either remain at Anfield or be sold only if a club is willing to meet Liverpool’s premium valuation.