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Tottenham Hotspur are now ‘in direct talks’ with the entourage of Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo over a potential move as they step up their pursuit of the Dutchman.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side are now fully focused on strengthening their attacking department after making significant progress in addressing other areas of the squad during a busy summer window.

Spurs remain keen on Manchester City winger Savinho and continue to explore a move, with Serie A sides having ruled out rivalling them due to the costs of the deal.

Gakpo is an attractive target for Tottenham and emerged as a potential option earlier this summer, though Liverpool would need to play ball.

Spurs look to believe there is a realistic chance of signing the former PSV Eindhoven man due to the time and effort they are putting into a potential deal.

Recently it has been indicated that negotiations could enter a decisive phase in the coming days as Spurs prepare to intensify their efforts.

Now, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham are ‘in direct talks’ with Gakpo’s camp over a potential deal as they are determined to engineer a move for the Dutchman.

Tottenham will want to get an agreement on personal terms with Gakpo in place before they then look to thrash out a fee with Liverpool.

Liverpool are actively pursuing Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola in what is expected to be a major financial commitment, which could make selling Gakpo to Tottenham more attractive.

There have already been suggestions that Liverpool may need to part with the Dutchman in order to facilitate a move for Barcola.

Liverpool are also interested in another PSG star in the shape of Ibrahim Mbaye.

Offloading Gakpo for a substantial fee could therefore become attractive for Liverpool quickly.

The Reds were also linked with Sporting Lisbon star Geny Catamo earlier in the window as they explored further wide options, although Sunderland are now pursuing the winger.

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Tottenham Hotspur ‘are now ready’ to allow Ashley Phillips to depart on a permanent basis, with Middlesbrough in talks to snap him up, according to journalist Michael Bridge.

Spurs secured the signature of Phillips in August 2023 from Blackburn Rovers by activating a release clause and scooping up a hugely promising defender, with big expectations attached to him.

The 21-year-old has failed to break through at Spurs yet, despite being regarded as a top talent and has had three loan spells away from N17, one at Plymouth Argyle and two at Stoke City.

Upon returning to Stoke City last summer, Phillips insisted he had unfinished business at the club as he looked to kick on.

Now back at Tottenham, he is well down the defensive pecking order, but at the age of just 21, does have time firmly on his side.

Tottenham could choose to let Phillips have another loan and continue to develop, however that does not appear to be the way the north London side are thinking.

Spurs ‘are now ready’ to let Phillips leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a permanent basis.

Club League Plymouth Argyle Championship Stoke City Championship Stoke City Championship Ashley Phillips’ loan spells

Middlesbrough, who benefited from Morgan Rogers’ transfer earlier this summer, are now holding advanced talks with Tottenham to try to agree a fee for Phillips.

Phillips has now made over 100 appearances in the Championship during his career, making him an attractive prospect for Boro.

The 21-year-old still has two years left on his contract with the Lilywhites, but with the Premier League side talking about a permanent exit, it could just be a matter of time until he moves on.

Tottenham do have other young defensive prospects, such as Kota Takai, and are prepared to cut the cord with Phillips.

It remains to be seen if Spurs ultimately regret their decision, though they could well insist on a sell-on clause being included in any deal, giving them a continuing stake in Phillips.

With the summer transfer window in full swing, Tottenham are looking to further bolster their squad and have pressed the accelerator on their efforts to sign Cody Gakpo as ‘talks will enter into key stages soon’.

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has revealed that part of his team’s philosophy is to set things up to have control of the game and shorter passes ensure that.

Spurs this season have built-up play from the back and there has not been a single long goal-kick taken by Postecoglou’s men.

Asked about that surprising statistic, Postecoglou insisted that it is part of the way they play their football.

Shorter passes ensure that the team starts off with possession, the Australian insists, and that is what he wants his team to do – not to lose possession.

“We might have played one or two longer but I won’t second guess your research”, Postecoglou said at a press conference when told about the statistic.

“It’s part of the way we want to play our football. The shorter pass means you’re going to start off with possession.

“We don’t want to give away possession.

“The kind of team we are, we want to set things up so we have control of the game and the shorter pass guarantees that and from there you move your way forward.”

Tottenham have stuck to their attacking football this season but have failed to manufacture consistent results, currently being placed ninth in the Premier League with three wins and three losses in their seven matches.

Tottenham resume their campaign after the international break with a match against West Ham United on Saturday.

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Oxford United boss Des Buckingham thinks that Tottenham Hotspur loanee Dane Scarlett scoring his first goal for England Under-21s is a special moment for the player.

The 20-year-old joined Championship outfit Oxford United on a season-long loan to help his development after a disappointing last season.

Scarlett, however, has been prolific for England’s youth teams and at the weekend he featured for the England Under-21 side while netting a goal in their 7-0 win over Azerbaijan in a Under-21 Euro qualifier.

The Tottenham loanee’s goal against Azerbaijan is his first goal for England Under-21s and Oxford boss Buckingham believes that it is a proud moment for the Tottenham star and his family.

“I think it is great for the players and the families”, Buckingham told Oxford’s media.

“First and foremost, the opportunity to go and represent your country and I use people like PK [Peter Kioso], who for DR Congo got called up for the first time and how much that means for him all the way to Mark Harris making his first international start and the likes of Dane Scarlett as well, who scored his first international goal for the Under-21s after being called up from the Under-20s, amongst the others.

“It is always a very special moment.”

However, Scarlett has yet to start a league game for Oxford this season and has not scored in his five league appearances for the Championship outfit.

The Tottenham loanee will be hoping to turn around his form in the coming weeks to get his season up and running.