Cody Gakpo to Tottenham Talk Is Real But It's Nowhere Near a Transfer
A journalist naming Gakpo as 'a name on Tottenham's list' has sparked £70m sale talk, but Liverpool's stance, the player's silence and an inflated market figure suggest this is speculation, not a saga.
Cody Gakpo is being talked about as a Tottenham transfer target this summer, but the story is thinner than the headlines suggest. TalkSPORT journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed Gakpo is "a name on Tottenham's list", and that any fee would likely be benchmarked against Anthony Gordon's £70m move from Newcastle to Barcelona. That is not the same as Liverpool setting a £70m price tag, and it is a long way from a bid.
Strip away the noise and the substance is limited: no offer has been made, Gakpo has not asked to leave, and Liverpool have shown no appetite to sell. This is early-stage silly-season chatter worth tracking, not a deal in motion.
What's Actually Being Reported (And What Isn't)
Jacobs was careful with his language, and it is worth repeating in full.
"There's been links in the last few days with Cody Gakpo. He is a name on Tottenham's list. Let's see how that develops. Liverpool "
That is the entire foundation of this story: Gakpo appears on a list of players Spurs are monitoring. It is not confirmation of a bid, a valuation from Liverpool's side, or interest that has been escalated by either club.
The Gaps in the Story
Several key pieces are missing that would typically signal a genuine transfer situation is developing:
- No official interest has been registered by Tottenham with Liverpool
- Gakpo has not told Liverpool he wants to leave, despite reports in the Netherlands suggesting otherwise
- Liverpool have given no indication they are open to selling this summer
- The £70m figure is a market comparison, not a stated asking price
Jacobs is a credible reporter with a strong track record on transfer stories, which is precisely why his careful hedging matters. He is flagging Gakpo as "one to watch", not breaking news of an approach.
Why Liverpool's £70m Valuation Doesn't Add Up Yet
The £70m number circulating around Gakpo has nothing to do with his output at Anfield. It comes from Anthony Gordon's summer move to Barcelona, a deal Jacobs cites as the market reference point clubs would need to beat if they wanted to prise Gakpo away.
A Market Skewed by One Big-Money Deal
Using Gordon's fee as a yardstick inflates expectations well beyond what Gakpo's recent form would justify. He started brightly after his move from PSV, but his output has faded, and his role in Liverpool's attack has become less certain as the squad has evolved. A £70m valuation for a player in that trajectory looks more like posturing than a considered price.
Liverpool have not stated an asking price. What Jacobs describes is a defensive position: if anyone comes calling, Liverpool would point to Gordon's fee to justify demanding a premium, precisely because they have no desire to sell in the first place.
Does a Move to Spurs Make Sense for Gakpo?
Setting the transfer mechanics aside, there is a genuine footballing question here. Gakpo is 27, talented, and has not consistently delivered on the promise he showed early in his Liverpool career.
Fresh Start Under an Ambitious Coach
Tottenham's summer approach under Roberto De Zerbi has focused on versatile, attack-minded forwards who fit an expansive style. Gakpo's ability to play across the front line would suit that profile, and a move to a club rebuilding around an exciting young coach could offer him the regular football and tactical trust he has lacked at Anfield.
The trade-off is significant. Leaving Liverpool would likely mean stepping away from Champions League football, at least in the short term, for a Spurs side still building toward that level. Whether that's a price worth paying depends on how Gakpo values first-team certainty over continental football, and right now, there's no evidence he's weighing that decision at all.
What Happens Next
Nothing is imminent. Liverpool have given no signal they want to sell, Gakpo hasn't requested an exit, and Tottenham haven't made contact beyond, reportedly, keeping him on a list of options.
Watch for two things that would actually move this story forward: any change in Gakpo's public or reported stance on his Liverpool future, and whether Tottenham make their interest formal once the summer window opens in earnest. Until then, this remains speculation worth monitoring rather than a transfer saga worth believing in.
SportSignals is an independent publication. Views expressed are our own.
Sources
This article is based on reporting from the publications above. Specific facts and quotes are credited inline where used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cody Gakpo really leaving Liverpool for Tottenham?
No formal bid has been made and Liverpool have shown no desire to sell. Journalist Ben Jacobs described Gakpo only as 'a name on Tottenham's list', which is far short of an active transfer negotiation.
Where does the £70m Cody Gakpo valuation come from?
The £70m figure is borrowed from Anthony Gordon's summer move from Newcastle to Barcelona, used as a market benchmark rather than a price set by Liverpool. Liverpool have not stated any official asking price for Gakpo.
Has Cody Gakpo asked to leave Liverpool?
No, despite some reports in the Netherlands suggesting otherwise, Gakpo has not told Liverpool he wants to leave. Liverpool have given no indication they are open to selling him this summer.
