Liverpool Considers Transfer Options Involving Cody Gakpo and Djed Spence
Liverpool’s summer transfer activities have sparked a fresh discussion, particularly focusing on Cody Gakpo and Djed Spence, as Tottenham weighs its options while Liverpool evaluates squad balance.
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On the Last Word on Spurs podcast, as reported by Darren Lewis, Liverpool’s position on Tottenham has been articulated clearly. Discussing Spence, Lewis remarked, “I’m not surprised that Liverpool like him because he is very versatile. He can play on the left side as well as the right side. He would compete for a place with [Jeremie] Frimpong.”
Lewis further elaborated on the potential Gakpo deal, indicating that Liverpool might be willing to part with Gakpo, stating, “Yeah, you can have him, but we want Spence,” suggesting a transfer fee of £30m-£35m could be involved. He expressed confidence that a deal is likely, noting, “I would be staggered come the end of the window if he is still a Tottenham player. If Liverpool follow up their interest with a bid, I think he would want to go.”
Gakpo’s Future Is a Crucial Liverpool Decision
For Liverpool, this situation transcends a single high-profile transfer and relates to the broader reorganization of the squad under Andoni Iraola. Gakpo is an established forward with experience at both the Premier League and international levels. In recent reports, the club has emphasized the need to enhance their attacking options rather than diminish them.
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This context is essential. Liverpool has already lost Mohamed Salah this summer, and Hugo Ekitike’s absence for the remainder of the year raises additional concerns. Consequently, trading a player of Gakpo’s caliber would necessitate strong internal assurance that the attacking lineup will maintain its effectiveness throughout the season.
The dynamics do present alternative aspects. Gakpo occupies a position where Liverpool has multiple choices, with younger wingers eager for playing time. If the coaching staff believes playing time on the left can be allocated elsewhere, it could make a challenging sale more justifiable.
Djed Spence’s Profile Meets Squad Requirements
Spence is appealing from a practical perspective. Liverpool’s right-back options have looked precarious, with Conor Bradley dealing with fitness setbacks and Jeremie Frimpong requiring careful workload management. This results in a genuine need for another reliable player who can regularly perform and fill various roles.
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Spence meets multiple criteria. At 25, he is homegrown, athletic, and effective on both sides of the pitch. This versatility would likely attract Iraola, especially in a system requiring full-backs to cover extensive areas and contribute during transitions.
The financial aspects complicate the situation. Should Tottenham gauge significant interest from Liverpool, and a player exchange occur, both Gakpo’s status and Spence’s rising market value will influence final figures.
Liverpool Transfer Negotiations to Watch Closely
Currently, there is a pragmatic rationale for all parties involved, even though a deal remains a work in progress. Tottenham is interested in Gakpo, Liverpool sees merit in Spence, and the financial gap could be manageable if both sides are genuinely interested.
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However, this does not ensure a transaction. Liverpool will approach the possibility of parting with a proven attacker carefully, especially one capable of contributing significantly across the front line. The conversation surrounding Gakpo and Spence indicates that this is more than a mere transfer rumor.
If talks advance, Liverpool’s decision will hinge on whether addressing the right-back position justifies the loss of a valuable attacker. This calculation will determine the course of events, making the Gakpo and Spence situation worthy of close observation.
Our Perspective
From a cautious Liverpool standpoint, this deal appears strategically appealing yet potentially problematic upon closer inspection. Spence is a solid player, and there is a clear need for an additional full-back; however, offloading Gakpo in the same conversation poses significant risk.
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Gakpo has proven himself in critical moments, understands the league, and brings versatility to the attack. With Salah already departed and Ekitike injured, this is not the ideal environment for letting go of one of the most reliable forwards on the team.
Questions of value arise as well. If Liverpool is allowing Tottenham to access Gakpo while also paying £30m-£35m in exchange for Spence, fans will demand clarity on how both assets are being valued. Gakpo is a top-tier international striker in his prime and should not be treated as a mere pawn to address right-back needs.
If Spence fits Iraola’s vision and Liverpool signs him outright, most supporters would likely recognize the logic. However, coupling that pursuit with Gakpo feels more challenging to endorse. Unless another attacking player is acquired, many fans may see this as solving one issue at the expense of creating another. Liverpool requires depth, reliability, and proven talent. Transferring Gakpo at this point would test all three.
Liverpool’s summer planning has produced a fresh talking point, with Cody Gakpo and Djed Spence now part of the same conversation as Tottenham consider their options and Anfield weighs up squad balance.
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According to Darren Lewis on the Last Word on Spurs podcast, Liverpool’s stance to Tottenham has been framed in very specific terms. Discussing Spence first, Lewis said: “I’m not surprised that Liverpool like him because he is very versatile. He can play on the left side as well as the right side. He would compete for a place with [Jeremie] Frimpong.”
He then outlined the core of the discussion around Gakpo and Spence, stating: “Looking at the Gakpo potential deal, Liverpool have said, ‘Yeah, you can have him, but we want Spence’; and £30m-£35m will change hands.” Lewis added: “I think a deal is there to be done because Spence will definitely want to go [to Liverpool]. I would be staggered come the end of the window if he is still a Tottenham player. If Liverpool follow up their interest with a bid, I think he would want to go.”
Gakpo future remains key Liverpool decision
For Liverpool, this is less about one headline move and more about shaping the squad for Andoni Iraola. Gakpo remains an established senior attacker, experienced at Premier League and international level, and the club’s publicly reported preference in recent days has been to strengthen the forward department rather than thin it out.
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That context matters. Liverpool have already lost Mohamed Salah this summer, while Hugo Ekitike is unavailable for the rest of the calendar year. In those circumstances, moving a player of Gakpo’s quality would require clear internal conviction that the overall structure of the attack will remain strong enough across a long campaign.
There is, of course, another side to the equation. Gakpo operates in an area where Liverpool have options, with younger wide players pushing for opportunities. If the coaching staff believe minutes on the left can be redistributed, then a difficult sale becomes easier to justify.
Djed Spence profile fits squad need
Spence is attractive for practical reasons. Liverpool’s right-back depth has looked vulnerable, with Conor Bradley still managing fitness issues and Jeremie Frimpong another player whose workload will need careful handling. That leaves a genuine requirement for another dependable option who can play regularly and cover multiple roles.
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Spence ticks several boxes. He is 25, homegrown, athletic and comfortable on either flank. That versatility would appeal to Iraola, particularly in a system that asks full-backs to defend large spaces and contribute in transition.
The valuation is where this becomes more complex. If Tottenham sense strong Liverpool interest, and if a player exchange is under discussion, the final numbers would need to reflect both Gakpo’s standing and Spence’s market value after an impressive rise in profile.
Liverpool transfer talks worth watching
At this stage, the clearest reading is that there is logic for all parties, even if the move remains some distance from completion. Tottenham admire Gakpo, Liverpool see usefulness in Spence, and the financial gap appears bridgeable if the appetite is genuine on both sides.
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That does not guarantee a deal. Liverpool will be careful before sanctioning the exit of a proven attacker, especially one capable of contributing across the front line. Yet the fact that the two names are being discussed together suggests this is more than routine transfer noise.
If negotiations do progress, the decision at Anfield will come down to a simple question, whether solving right-back depth is worth sacrificing a major attacking option. That is the calculation behind this story, and it is why the Gakpo and Spence situation now deserves close attention.
Our View
From a sceptical Liverpool perspective, this feels like the sort of deal that sounds neat on paper and far less convincing once you examine the details. Spence is a good player and there is a clear need for another full-back, but moving Gakpo in the same breath carries obvious risk.
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Gakpo has delivered in big moments, knows the league, and offers versatility across the attack. Liverpool have already lost Salah, and Ekitike being sidelined only sharpens the concern. That is not the backdrop for casually offloading one of the more reliable senior forwards in the squad.
There is also the question of value. If Liverpool are effectively allowing Tottenham access to Gakpo while paying £30m-£35m on top in a structure involving Spence, supporters will want to understand exactly how the club is pricing both assets. Gakpo is a high-level international forward in his prime. He should not be treated like a movable part simply because the squad needs a right-back.
Spence may well suit Iraola, and if Liverpool sign him outright most fans would probably see the logic. Tying that pursuit to Gakpo feels much harder to endorse. Unless there is another attacking addition lined up, many supporters would view this as solving one problem by creating another. Liverpool need depth, certainty and proven quality. Moving Gakpo now would test all three.
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