Spurs working behind the scenes to sign £66m star

Tottenham Hotspur’s nightmarish campaign is finally over, and thanks to Roberto De Zerbi, their Premier League status is intact.

But now, the hard work starts, with back-to-back 17th-place finishes unfortunately a pattern which needs to be snapped ahead of the 2026/27 season, lest Spurs lose their status as one of England’s foremost outfits.

De Zerbi saved the day, but Tottenham now need to make pinpoint signings this summer to ensure that recent relief solidifies into something that can be used to challenge at the other end of the table next year – and beyond.

ENIC are working hard to reshape the Londoners’ backline, but forwards are also needed, with Savinho seemingly the top target.

Spurs working behind scenes for Savinho alternative

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester City’s Savinho is interested in joining Tottenham this summer, and while a deal seems like it is edging toward completion, ENIC are wise in that they are keeping their options open.

Savinho, 22, will not solve this mess on his own. Spurs need top-class quality to strengthen their cause in the Premier League. Savinho has the potential to make a difference, but he has scarcely played over the past year.

Instead, Tottenham could turn to another former target in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, whose Anfield future is uncertain following Arne Slot’s dismissal.

That’s according to TEAMtalk, who have maintained since March that Spurs have held discussions with intermediaries over a possible deal for the 26-year-old, working behind the scenes.

In January, Bayern Munich registered an interest in the Dutchman, believed to be willing to pay up to €75m (£66m). Spurs would likely look to shave some of that off, but there’s no question that Liverpool will play hardball over a versatile forward who helped lift the Premier League only one year ago.

Why Gakpo could be a better signing than Savinho for Spurs

Tottenham’s transfer chiefs are most likely scarred by last summer’s unsuccessful bid for Savinho, and while he is ENIC’s top target as things stand, a contingency plan is in place, with Gakpo the man who could help lift the Londoners back up the table.

Interestingly, though, Gakpo might be the better choice regardless, more direct and potent in the final third.

Could he do more off the ball? Absolutely. Has Gakpo been justly criticised for being too one-dimensional at times this season? For sure. And yet, this is a goalscoring forward who is adept when peeling away from the touchline and cutting inside.

He needs to add a couple more strings to his bow, but De Zerbi could assist him in this, and given that he would be given a role of significant responsibility, the Dutchman could enjoy a resurgence that would take him back to his previous heights in the Premier League.

During the 2024/25 season, the Netherland superstar scored 18 goals and supplied seven assists in all competitions. Hailed for his “special skillset” by former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders, Gakpo has a lot more in his locker, and the underlying data still favours him, even as he is at this low ebb.

Savinho is a top talent in his own right, younger and with so much potential to realise, but is he going to provide Tottenham with the instant relief that they need? Gakpo is an accomplished Premier League forward, 50 goals and 23 assists across 180 games for Liverpool.

Gakpo has suffered as something of a scapegoat at Liverpool this season, and while he hasn’t enjoyed his finest year by any stretch, the powerful and versatile forward was one part of a much wider problem at Anfield.

By joining Spurs, not only would he take on a new level of responsibility, but he could rebuild himself up to the standard that drew such acclaim when Liverpool lifted the title.