Cody Gakpo now 'leading contender' for Tottenham as Liverpool could face difficult decision
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Speculation that Cody Gakpo could leave Liverpool this summer has never gone away, with Tottenham once again being linked with a big-money swoop for the Dutch forwardCody Gakpo in action for the Netherlands during the World Cup.(Image: Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)Liverpool ace Cody Gakpo continues to be linked with a transfer move to Tottenham this summer, even with the Reds in need of more — not fewer — options in forward areas.Andoni Iraola's side is hoping to tie up a deal for the PSG winger Bradley Barcola, but having lost Mohamed Salah and with Federico Chiesa yet to convince in terms of being a regular starter, the Liverpool attacking roster is looking light.Victor Munoz, the Spanish winger, has come in from Osasuna, and Rio Ngumoha's role could grow, but Liverpool is already in need of at least one forward, with Hugo Ekitike's long-term injury arguably meaning it would be best to sign two.So while Roberto De Zerbi might admire Gakpo, with one report claiming that he is a "leading contender" for Tottenham this summer and speculation about his future having never gone away, a sale as things stand appears impossible.If Liverpool was to sign Barcola and someone else, that could change the dynamic, but even then, Spurs would need to put together a big transfer fee — something, in fairness, they have already done several times this summer.Gakpo, who signed a new contract at Anfield last summer, and Netherlands teammate Virgil van Dijk are currently training back on Merseyside while the majority of the Liverpool squad are in the US.Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo have returned to training with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)They will be reunited with their teammates — and introduced to their new head coach — next week."I think it is difficult to say a number," Iraola said last month when he was asked about new additions."When the market is open, you always have to be open to new options to improve the squad. There are obvious situations where we need to sign players.
Winger, for example, we definitely need to sign a winger."But there are other situations where we will have to analyze what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign."We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust, but it is still not the ideal situation, so it will depend on a lot of things."Liverpool.com says: Gakpo struggled at times last season, but so did the whole of the Reds team.
When he is at his best, he can be a reliable source of goals.In the season before last, when Liverpool was playing much better and he had Luis Diaz alongside him, Gakpo scored 18 goals in all competitions. It is more than possible that Iraola could unlock that player once again.