Gakpo to Spurs: A Summer Saga Waiting to Unfold as Liverpool Hold Firm

Liverpool are showing no signs of budging on Cody Gakpo just yet, but Fabrizio Romano has warned that the situation remains fluid should Tottenham come calling with serious money on the table.

The Reds have already brought in Victor Munoz from Osasuna for roughly €40m this summer, yet that hasn't tempered their appetite for further attacking additions. The departure of Mohamed Salah has left a considerable void, and a move for RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande fell through after the defender made it clear his heart was set on Paris Saint-Germain.

With elite wingers proving difficult to prize away this summer, Liverpool appear unlikely to let Gakpo slip through their fingers despite a disappointing 2024-25 campaign from the Netherlands international. However, Tottenham's keen interest adds an intriguing dimension to proceedings.

Spurs have already welcomed five new faces this window, with a £100m swoop for Sandro Tonali from Newcastle nearly complete. According to Romano, they've now fixed their sights on Gakpo, though Liverpool's position remains resolute.

"Keep an eye on Tottenham because they are interested in the player," Romano explained. "As things stand at the beginning of July, Liverpool are not opening the door to an exit. They are not telling Gakpo that he can leave and they are not telling Tottenham that negotiations can begin."

The transfer guru stressed that everything hinges on whether Spurs are willing to make their interest official. "At the moment, the door remains closed from Liverpool's side," he continued. "We will have to see what happens later in the summer if Tottenham decide to make a formal proposal. Right now, there is interest, but if an official bid arrives then we will see how the situation develops. So it is definitely one to watch, but nothing is guaranteed at this stage."

Barcola Intrigue Intensifies

Meanwhile, Liverpool's pursuit of Bradley Barcola continues to gather momentum as they cast their net wider in their hunt for attacking talent.

The PSG forward raised eyebrows during a France press conference when discussing his summer plans, declining to offer an outright commitment to remaining in Paris. Romano believes this hesitation speaks volumes about the player's mindset.

"If a player wants to stay and is completely certain about staying, they simply tell the media, 'I'm staying. I'm staying at Paris Saint-Germain,'" Romano noted. "Barcola didn't say that. That's because the information I have is different from what many others are reporting."

The journalist has maintained consistently since April that movement surrounding Barcola remained possible, contrary to widespread suggestions that the Frenchman was untouchable. Contract negotiations between PSG and the player have stalled over the past ten months, creating potential leverage for interested parties.

"To sign Barcola, you still need a huge financial package," Romano explained. "You still have to convince Paris Saint-Germain financially, but the player is open to leaving. That is the current reality. If a major offer arrives, there could be movement. It still has to be a very significant proposal."

Barcola sits prominently on Liverpool's radar, though they'll need to dig deep into their coffers to make it happen. Arsenal are also monitoring the situation, though Morgan Rogers remains their primary target—assuming Aston Villa can be persuaded to part with the winger. Should negotiations with Villa prove fruitless, Barcola could emerge as a genuine alternative for Mikel Arteta's side.

For now, though, Rogers appears the frontrunner at the Emirates, with Arsenal having made considerable headway in discussions with their Midlands rivals.