Tottenham have made a choice about De Zerbi’s next big signing, and the final decision now rests with their £70m star.
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly stepping up their hunt for an exciting new signing, and it looks like the final choice is now in the player’s hands, with both clubs open to a move. The team has been wanting to strengthen their attack all summer, especially after Dominic Solanke picked up a new injury last week.
According to reports from Voetbal International in the Netherlands, Spurs are close to sealing a deal worth over £70 million for Cody Gakpo, with Liverpool ready to negotiate. Coach Roberto De Zerbi sees Gakpo as a key piece for the team during a transfer window that’s only about 60% done, according to the former Marseille and Brighton boss.
If signed, Gakpo would be De Zerbi’s seventh new player this season and push Spurs’ spending past £300 million for the first time ever. Speaking on Spurs’ pre-season trip to New Zealand, the 47-year-old said, “The transfer window isn’t finished yet. We’ve done 60% of our work, and now we have another exciting deal hopefully close to done.”
Earlier, Spurs were also linked with Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and Savinho, but it now seems like they’re focusing on Gakpo to lead their attack. They’re still talking with City about possibly signing Savinho, too.
This comes after a World Cup where Gakpo scored three goals in four games for the Netherlands and had 12 goal contributions in 35 matches for his club, mainly playing on the wing. Liverpool are also interested but would keep him if Spurs don’t meet their price. Now, it’s up to Gakpo to choose where he wants to play next season.
If Gakpo goes, that would leave Federico Chiesa as Liverpool’s most senior left winger after they lost Mo Salah to Trabzonspor on a free transfer. Liverpool are also close to signing Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Mbaye, although other Bundesliga clubs are also interested in Mbaye.
Both Spurs and Liverpool have two more pre-season matches before their seasons start on August 22 and 23. Tottenham will visit Brentford in London, and Newcastle, managed by Andoni Iraola, will play at home at St James’ Park in his first competitive game in charge.
Both teams will be eager to do better than last season — Tottenham barely avoided dropping to the Championship with a win on the final day, and Liverpool, despite finishing fifth and qualifying for the Champions League, decided to part ways with their manager Arne Slot.