Alex Crook rules out Liverpool transfer – “I don’t think it will happen”

Alex Crook rules out Liverpool transfer – “I don’t think it will happen” Cody Gakpo to Tottenham latest as Liverpool weigh Spurs interest and transfer deadline options Liverpool are facing a delicate late-window decision over Cody Gakpo, with fresh reporting pointing in different directions and leaving the winger’s future open to interpretation. The broad picture is clear enough, Spurs admire the Dutch international, conversations have taken place, and Liverpool would need certainty on attacking reinforcements before considering any meaningful movement. Credit to Alex Crook via Last Word on Spurs for the latest line on the situation. His update suggested Liverpool currently lean against doing business with Tottenham, even if there is an acceptance that the player could be receptive to the opportunity. That is a significant detail in a market where player willingness and club strategy often move at different speeds. The quote attributed to Crook was unequivocal: “I don’t think it will happen. Speaking to sources at Liverpool they think he’s had a good pre-season under Iraola, they think he’s a player that Iraola can get the best out of. “I think he probably would be open to the move, but at the moment that’s not one I expect to happen between now and deadline day.” Liverpool transfer stance on Cody Gakpo That reporting fits with the logic around Liverpool’s planning. Gakpo has had a promising summer under Andoni Iraola, and there is a sense within the club that a reset in role and structure could help produce a stronger season. After a difficult 2025-26 campaign collectively, Liverpool are revisiting a number of attacking combinations, especially following the departure of Mohamed Salah and the need to reshape their forward line around Alexander Isak and younger wide options. Any decision on Gakpo is therefore unlikely to be taken in isolation. Liverpool’s interest in Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye has been well documented, and if those pursuits develop then the discussion around exits becomes more realistic. Until then, there is little incentive for Liverpool to weaken depth in a crucial area, particularly by selling to a Premier League rival. Another report on the market has indicated Tottenham remain active in discussions and that the move has not collapsed. The key issue there is financial alignment. Spurs may have encouragement on the player side, but Liverpool’s threshold would be high and tied directly to their ability to secure replacements before the deadline. Spurs interest remains live before deadline day From Tottenham’s perspective, the attraction is understandable. Gakpo offers versatility across the frontline, top-level experience and, at his best, a directness that can change games. Roberto De Zerbi is thought to value attackers who can operate in multiple lanes, and Gakpo’s profile suits that requirement. For Liverpool, however, the calculation is more layered. The club know he did not hit his best levels last season, but there is also recognition that he has looked sharper in pre-season and more settled physically and mentally. That matters when head coaches are reassessing squads early in a tenure. There is also the simple matter of market value. If Liverpool were to entertain a sale, they would be expected to demand a fee reflecting both Gakpo’s pedigree and the premium attached to late-window trading between elite English clubs. With time running down, leverage tends to sit with the selling side. Bradley Barcola links shape Liverpool thinking This is where Barcola becomes central to the story. Liverpool’s pursuit of the Paris Saint-Germain winger appears closely connected to any serious prospect of Gakpo leaving. Should that move prove too difficult or too expensive, Liverpool would be taking on unnecessary risk by allowing an established attacker to depart. If progress is made, the picture changes quickly. Photo: IMAGO That is why this situation remains fluid rather than advanced. There is interest, there are discussions, and there is an obvious strategic pathway if Liverpool can execute incoming business. Yet there is no clear sign at present that the conditions required for a deal are fully in place. As things stand, the likeliest outcome appears to be Gakpo staying, unless Liverpool make substantial progress on winger recruitment in the closing days of the window. Tottenham’s interest should be taken seriously, but Liverpool’s current stance still looks like the decisive factor. Our View From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this feels like one of those reports that makes sense on paper without fully convincing emotionally. You can understand why Spurs would want Gakpo, and you can also see why Liverpool might listen if a major offer arrived and replacements were lined up. Even so, there is still a lingering feeling that selling him now could look premature. Gakpo has had difficult periods, that much is fair, but he remains a high-level attacker with qualities that are hard to replace. He can play off the left, through the middle, and he brings control in tight spaces. Under a new head coach, plenty of players deserve a fresh start, and he feels like one of them. The uncertain part for fans is whether Liverpool are planning a broader attacking refresh than many expect. If Barcola or another winger arrives, then perhaps the club are ready to be ruthless. If not, moving on from Gakpo would feel like creating a problem and then scrambling to solve it late in the market. There is also the optics of strengthening Tottenham. Even if clubs try to stay cold and rational about these things, supporters rarely do. Unless the fee is huge and the succession plan is airtight, many fans would probably prefer Liverpool to hold their ground and back Iraola to get more from a player who still has plenty to offer.