Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on a move for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, but any potential transfer faces significant resistance from Anfield, who are reluctant to weaken their attacking options.
Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi is said to view Gakpo as a versatile option capable of operating through the middle, dropping between lines to link play, a profile that aligns with his tactical approach. De Zerbi’s system often sees his centre forward vacating central spaces to combine with midfielders and create room for wide players, rather than relying on a traditional penalty-box striker.
Gakpo’s statistical appeal to Tottenham
Gakpo, primarily deployed from the left wing but also used as a central striker, false nine, and second forward at Liverpool, presents an intriguing option for Tottenham. Despite scoring seven Premier League goals in the 2025-26 campaign – his lowest return in a full season at Anfield – his underlying statistics highlight his consistent threat and involvement.
Last season, Gakpo averaged 2.2 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 minutes, placing him among the top seven wingers in Europe’s top five leagues. He also ranked inside the top 10 for both open-play shots and chances created. Further analysis reveals his high activity:
- Shot frequency: 98th percentile
- Advanced involvement: 96th percentile
- Box threat: 91st percentile
When compared to Tottenham’s current attacking options, Gakpo’s output stands out. While Richarlison scored more league goals last season, he attempted 26 fewer shots and created half as many big chances as Gakpo. Other Spurs forwards like Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel, and even former loanee Randal Kolo Muani, trailed Gakpo across several key attacking measures.
Gakpo recorded 187 touches in the opposition penalty area last season, significantly more than Richarlison (125), Tel (68), and Solanke (55). His 4.17 expected assists from open play was also the highest among the compared Spurs forwards, demonstrating his creative prowess. Furthermore, his defensive contributions are notable, regaining possession 87 times (45 in the middle third) and making 13 interceptions, all higher than Richarlison, Tel, and Solanke.
His physical presence, standing 6ft 4in tall, also contributes to his aerial volume, ranking in the 96th percentile among positional peers.
Liverpool’s reluctance to sell
Liverpool’s firm stance on Gakpo is understandable given their current attacking situation. The departure of Mohamed Salah and an Achilles injury to Hugo Ekitike have significantly reduced their depth. The Reds are also actively pursuing Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, indicating their need to reinforce rather than diminish their forward line.
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Since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, Gakpo has demonstrated consistent output across various roles, scoring seven, eight, 10, and seven league goals in his four seasons at Anfield. He was a key figure in their title-winning 2024-25 campaign, netting 18 goals in all competitions. Since November 2024, only Salah has scored more Premier League goals for Liverpool than Gakpo’s 17, and only Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai have registered more intentional assists than his five.
With current attacking depth including newcomer Victor Munoz and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool is unlikely to sanction the sale of an established, versatile forward like Gakpo, despite Tottenham’s clear interest, as reported by BBC Sport.
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