Liverpool player “one step away” from joining Premier League rivals for £70m

Tottenham Hotspur are pushing towards a major deal for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, with the Netherlands international reportedly agreeing personal terms ahead of a possible move to north London.

The 27-year-old only signed a new long-term Liverpool contract last year, but his situation has changed following Arne Slot’s departure and Andoni Iraola’s appointment.

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is keen to add a proven left-sided attacker, and Gakpo has emerged as one of his leading targets.

However, despite progress on the player’s side, Liverpool are not yet prepared to simply approve his departure.

Gakpo is “one step away” from joining Tottenham

According to transfer journalist Nicolò Schira, Gakpo is “one step away” from joining Tottenham, having already agreed personal terms on a contract running until 2031.
is one step away to #Tottenham from #Liverpool. The dutch winger is a main target for Roberto #DeZerbi. Already a agreed personal terms for a contract until 2031. #THFC are now working to reach and finalize the deal with #LFC as soon as possible. #transfers https://t.co/CUzGN8YVu9

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) August 15, 2026

🚨 Excl. – Cody #Gakpo is one step away to #Tottenham from #Liverpool. The dutch winger is a main target for Roberto #DeZerbi. Already a agreed personal terms for a contract until 2031. #THFC are now working to reach and finalize the deal with #LFC as soon as possible. #transfers https://t.co/CUzGN8YVu9

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) August 15, 2026

Spurs are now working to finalise an agreement with Liverpool, with a potential fee of around £70 million discussed during the negotiations.

Schira describes Gakpo as a major target for De Zerbi as Tottenham continue strengthening their attack.

There is, however, an important latest development. Football Insider reported that Liverpool do not intend to sanction Gakpo’s move until they have secured several attacking reinforcements of their own.

That means personal terms may be settled, but the transfer still depends heavily on Liverpool’s incoming business.

Liverpool hold all the cards in this transfer saga

From Tottenham’s perspective, Gakpo makes plenty of sense.

He already understands Premier League football, can operate from the left or centrally and would give De Zerbi another established goalscoring threat.

At 27, he should also be entering the strongest years of his career rather than arriving purely as a development project.

The complication is Liverpool’s squad depth. Selling Gakpo before securing replacements would leave Iraola dangerously short of proven wide options. Football Insider says Liverpool therefore want attacking additions through the door before approving his exit.

That makes Liverpool’s pursuit of other forwards particularly important during the final weeks of the window.

For Spurs, paying close to £70m is a substantial commitment, but Gakpo offers far less uncertainty than many alternatives because he is already proven in England.