Source Credibility: Tier 1 Romano Confirms Double Attack Push

Tottenham Hotspur are not done spending this summer. Fabrizio Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel that North London officials are actively working on a combined £137m double swoop for Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo and Manchester City winger Savinho.

Romano classifies both players as Tottenham's top priority targets for the wide positions. Negotiators are maintaining simultaneous dialogues with Anfield and the Etihad Stadium as Roberto De Zerbi demands a revamped forward line before deadline day.

"More movements are expected at Tottenham in the next days, because don’t forget their top targets remain two players: one is Cody Gakpo, the other one is Savinho," Romano confirmed.

As TeamTalk reported on Fabrizio Romano's updates, Tottenham lead the race for Gakpo. Liverpool have set an asking price between £70m-£72m for the Dutch international, while Manchester City want £60m-£65m for Savinho.

Tactical Fit: How De Zerbi Plans to Deploy Gakpo and Savinho

De Zerbi requested an overhaul of his attacking options after securing defensive and midfield reinforcements earlier in the window. The Italian manager views Gakpo as a multi-positional asset capable of operating on the left wing or central as a striker.

Gakpo endured a frustrating domestic campaign with Liverpool last season, failing to hold down a fixed starting role under tactical shifts. However, his form at the 2026 World Cup reminded suitors of his caliber, where he scored three goals for the Netherlands in a sharp tournament run.

Savinho offers complementary directness on either flank. Tottenham failed to land the 22-year-old Brazilian last summer, but talks are far more advanced this time. Spurs have already agreed personal terms with Savinho, though their current opening offer sits just below City's £60m valuation floor.

The tactical flexibility of both targets allows De Zerbi to rotate fluidly. If Gakpo plays centrally to compete directly with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, Savinho can lock down the left wing. Alternatively, Savinho can operate on the right while Gakpo cuts inside from the left.

Spurs checked on alternatives in case negotiations stall. TeamTalk confirmed on August 6 that Chelsea's Pedro Neto remains on the shortlist as a backup for Savinho. However, Romano noted that Neto is very expensive, and deal-making between Spurs and Chelsea carries political friction.

"The two top targets [for] wingers remain Cody Gakpo and Savinho . [The] alternative is Pedro Neto, who is very expensive." Romano stated, while ruling out any movement for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun.

The European Domino Effect: Barcola, Torres, and Paris

The transfer of Gakpo to Tottenham relies heavily on a three-club chain reaction across Europe. Journalist Ben Jacobs reported on August 5 that Liverpool will only sanction Gakpo's departure if they secure PSG winger Bradley Barcola along with a second wide addition.

That hurdle moved significantly closer to resolution this week. BBC Sport confirmed PSG reached a deal in principle to sign Barcelona forward Ferran Torres for €50m (£42.7m).

Torres was granted permission to miss Barcelona training to finalize personal terms in Paris. The 26-year-old Spaniard scored 21 goals in 49 appearances for Barcelona last season before netting the extra-time winner against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final.

PSG manager Luis Enrique is restructuring his front line after guiding the Parisians to consecutive Champions League titles and Wednesday's 2-1 UEFA Super Cup victory against Aston Villa. PSG previously brought in Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco, making Barcola available for Liverpool's approach.

Should Liverpool finalize Barcola's arrival from Paris, the green light for Gakpo's move to Tottenham will follow rapidly. Liverpool directors want their replacement through the door before authorizing Gakpo's medical in London.

Financing the Overhaul: Outgoings and Record Spending

Tottenham's pursuit of Gakpo and Savinho represents the final phase of an unprecedented squad transformation. Chairman Daniel Levy has already backed De Zerbi with six marquee arrivals during the current window.

Spurs rebuilt their backline with Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. They followed that by breaking their transfer record twice in central midfield, paying West Ham £85m for Mateus Fernandes before landing Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for £100m.

To balance the books and satisfy Premier League squad limits, Tottenham are aggressive in the sales market. Defender Djed Spence is on the verge of completing a move to Serie A after Spurs reached an agreement with Inter Milan.

As Sky Sports reported Inter Milan agreed terms, the total package for Spence reaches £30m and includes a 10 percent sell-on clause. Spence traveled to Italy for his medical after starring in England's third-place World Cup finish.

Spurs originally paid Middlesbrough £12.5m upfront for Spence in July 2022 in a deal structured up to £20m. With Pedro Porro established at right-back and Destiny Udogie, Robertson, Souza, and Ben Davies options on the left, Spence became surplus despite his international display.

Spence follows star center-back Cristian Romero out of the club, with De Zerbi expected to sanction up to five additional player departures before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Critical Assessment: Flaws, Risks, and Red Flags

While a £137m outlay for Gakpo and Savinho generates headline excitement, the strategy carries sharp operational risks that Tottenham supporters should examine carefully.

Gakpo's inconsistency at Anfield cannot be ignored. Paying over £70m for a player who scored just a handful of league goals last season relies heavily on his World Cup form rather than domestic reliability. If De Zerbi fails to provide immediate tactical clarity, Gakpo risks duplicating his Liverpool stagnation.

Savinho presents a different challenge. While personal terms are agreed, Manchester City rarely discount players to Premier League rivals. Bidding below City's £60m floor could drag negotiations into late August, leaving Spurs vulnerable if negotiations stall.

Furthermore, turning to Pedro Neto as a backup plan appears flawed. Negotiating a high-fee transfer with Chelsea is historically difficult, and relying on expensive backup options late in the window has cost Spurs in past seasons.

The financial pressure on De Zerbi is immense. Having already spent £185m on central midfield alone, adding another £137m on wide players leaves zero margin for error. Tottenham must qualify for the Champions League, or this window's balance sheet will look alarming.

Probability Assessment and Expected Timeline

Here is the realistic evaluation of where both deals stand as of mid-August 2026:

  • Savinho to Tottenham: 80% probability. Personal terms are agreed, the player wants the move, and the gap between Spurs' bid and City's £60m asking price is narrow. Expect resolution within 5 to 7 days.
  • Cody Gakpo to Tottenham: 65% probability. Highly dependent on Liverpool closing the deal for PSG's Bradley Barcola. With Ferran Torres heading to PSG, the dominoes are moving into place. Expected timeline is late August.
  • Pedro Neto to Tottenham: 15% probability. Strictly a contingent alternative if the Savinho deal collapses entirely due to fee friction with City.

Expected Impact: What Happens If the Deals Go Through

Securing Gakpo and Savinho would complete one of the most aggressive single-window retooling efforts in modern Premier League history. De Zerbi would possess a front line rich in dynamic dribbling and position-rotational flexibility.

Savinho provides raw pace and isolated 1v1 threat on the wings that Tottenham lacked during transition phases last season. His arrival gives De Zerbi a true perimeter winger who can stretch low blocks.

Gakpo gives Spurs tactical unpredictability. He can start wide left to cut onto his right foot or play as an interchanging central striker alongside Solanke, giving Tottenham variations against deep-defending opponents.

If both deals clear the line before August 31, Tottenham will boast a rebuilt core from back to front. The pressure will shift entirely onto De Zerbi to translate headline investment into top-four football immediately.