How Spurs could sign an upgrade on Cody Gakpo for just £42m

“I can’t wait to get out on the pitch with you.” That was the message from the injury-stricken Xavi Simons as he welcomed his former teammate, Savinho, to Tottenham Hotspur.

At long last, Spurs have signed their elusive forward player. While the defence was the primary issue against Brentford a few days ago, it also demonstrated why Roberto De Zerbi has been so keen to strengthen the forward line.

In the shape of Savio, as he is also known, they have really bolstered the right flank but there should be more to come. Omar Marmoush is on the verge of taking the same path to north London.

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo remains a priority target but that deal will be difficult to get over the line, particularly as Manchester City have now also entered the race.

How Cody Gakpo could fit into the Tottenham starting lineup

Spurs may well have started the season with a disastrous 3-0 defeat to the Bees last Saturday but it is difficult not to be impressed by their summer business.

In the shape of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, the Lilywhites have acquired two of the finest midfielders in the Premier League.

Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Now, as we enter the final week of the window, their eye-catching run of new signings has continued. Savinho has arrived and Marmoush is around the corner too.

The Egyptian, with his versatility and explosiveness, will add plenty to De Zerbi’s team. He could feature in a number of positions from either flank, to behind the striker or as the centre-forward.

It is widely expected that Marmoush will play off the left or through the middle which begs the question, where would Gakpo fit into the equation?

REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Well, like the Man City attacker, the Dutchman is versatile and could fit into a plethora of roles. At Liverpool, he has played the vast majority of his football from the left flank and actually scored from that position against Newcastle last Saturday, albeit the strike was taken when he drifted into a central area.

However, reports suggest that he agreed personal terms with Spurs as they have assured him he will play as the leading striker.

That’s a mouthwatering thought. From Mathys Tel, Richarlison and Djed Spence on the final day of last season to Savinho, Marmoush and Gakpo; it would be quite the turnaround in quality.

As it happens, there may actually be an opportunity to better that.

How Spurs could sign a better forward than Gakpo

With 18 goals in all competitions during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign of 2024/25, Gakpo has more than proven he has what it takes to shine in English football.

The way he took his goal at St James’ Park a few days ago was first-class too, fizzing the ball into the bottom corner from range.

Reuters/Lee Smith

However, with a mooted price tag of around £70m, it’s going to be another expensive one for Spurs to get over the line. As a result, an alternative could be turned to in the form of Rafael Leao.

The winger made it clear he wanted to leave Milan behind at the end of last season but with under a week left to go in the window, he is still yet to find a new club.

According to a new report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa have held talks with interemediaries over a potential £42m move to sign the Portuguese attacker.

Villa are not the only English club to have held discussions with Spurs also in talks as they explore alternatives for the aforementioned Gakpo. At the moment, however, it is Turkish side Galatasaray who are leading the race to acquire his signature.

Leao is something of a marmite character but there is no denying his quality. He could be an even better signing than Gakpo for Tottenham. Here’s why…

The 27-year-old is not quite as prolific as the Dutchman, scoring 22 goals in comparison to Gakpo’s 28 across the last two seasons, but he is simply spellbinding with the ball at his feet. In that regard he’s one of the most dangerous forward players around.

Celebrated by Como scout Ben Mattinson as “one of the best left wingers in the world” in recent years, the data certainly points to a player who terrifies defenders.

Throughout the duration of last season, Leao was simply far more efficient and far more dangerous with his actions in the final third.

Sure, there have been damning reviews of his ability to track back and defend but going forward, he’s one of the best around. The Milan star ranked as highly as the top 2% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues last term for progressive carries per 90 minutes and in the best 4% for big chances created from open play.

Not just a goalscorer – he found the net 15 times in 2023/24 and 16 times in 2022/23 – Leao has the creative and carrying threat to make him even more menacing. In that regard he’s even better than Gakpo.

The thought of another elite carrier in the form of Savinho playing on the opposite side should be a salivating proposition for De Zerbi and the Spurs supporters.