Tottenham Hotspur have told Liverpool that they will bid for Cody Gakpo once the Merseyside outfit finalises a move for Bradley Barcola.
It's set to be a busy end to the transfer window at Anfield. The Reds have already recruited Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz but Andoni Iraola is yet to add an experienced forward to his front line following the departure of Mohamed Salah.
All signs point towards that being Paris Saint-Germain star Barcola, who has refused to sign a new deal at the Parc des Princes and subsequently been left out of the matchday squad by Luis Enrique. The Frenchman's arrival at Liverpool could trigger the sale of Gakpo.
Tottenham Hotspur prepare £70m Liverpool bid
Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof has provided the latest on Gakpo's future when speaking to The Redmen TV. The reporter claims that discussions about the player are already underway behind the scenes between Liverpool and Tottenham.
The things that I've heard around the player and Tottenham Hotspur is that he's open to the move. Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so he's not desperate to leave, but when they come over and make him a star player and all the things are set up... I think it could be a very quick transfer.
"Spurs have already announced to Liverpool that they are coming in with a bid when Barcola or another striker is coming in [to Anfield].
"They already know what Liverpool are demanding, around £70million. With Barcola already coming in - and Barcola is not coming for the bench, he's coming to play on the left wing."
Gakpo made 52 appearances across all competitions last season under Arne Slot, and managed just nine goals and six assists across those outings. Those 15 goal contributions were a fall from the 25 the winger hit over the 2024/25 campaign.
Cody Gakpo goal contributions at Liverpool:
The £250,000-a-week forward enjoyed an impressive World Cup with three goals and an assist for the Netherlands, but faces serious competition on the left flank should Barcola arrive at Liverpool. Iraola also has rising star Munoz competing for a place, following his £34.5 million move from Osasuna.
Those arrivals are believed to have led to Gakpo believing his long-term future is not at Liverpool and, while he will not press the club for an exit this summer, the chance to be a starting XI shoo-in under Roberto De Zerbi is a tempting prospect.
It would be another marquee addition for Tottenham, who have already spent considerably over £200 million on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke this summer.
Spurs spent significant sums on Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel last summer but the trio of forwards failed to impress as the North London side flirted with relegation under Thomas Frank.
Gakpo only signed a new deal with Liverpool last year and is under contract at Anfield until 2030. The Reds paid around £40 million to sign the player from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023.