'I've been talking' - Liverpool 'hold the cards' as Tottenham work on Cody Gakpo deal
Liverpool are highly likely to keep hold of winger Cody Gakpo this summer amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that Spurs will find it extremely difficult to prise the Dutchman away from Anfield.
The Lilywhites have identified the 27-year-old as a top target in the final month of the summer transfer window, and are prepared to pay another huge fee to land him.
However, Wyness believes that Liverpool still "hold the cards" in terms of Gakpo's future, as they have him tied down to a long-term contract at the moment.
Tottenham have already spent huge sums on the duo of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes in recent months, but remain prepared to get the chequebook out again.
Recent reports have suggested that a move for Gakpo would cost upwards of the £70million mark, but Liverpool remain reluctant to lose him, even at that price.
Cody Gakpo a good fit for Andoni Iraola
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Gakpo will be a good fit for Andoni Iraola's style of football at Anfield.
The wideman endured a challenging campaign at times last term, but the Scottish businessman feels that the arrival of the new boss could see Gakpo have a resurgence in 2026-27.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear that Gakpo remains unlikely to leave Merseyside this summer.
"Spurs have had a great window; they're one of the ones that I'd say have had to spend because they got such a scare last year, but certainly it's been a good window," he said.
"I don't think Gakpo is going to leave Liverpool though. I've been talking to a few Liverpool fans about this, and the feeling is that while he was a bit out of favour last season, under Iraola and his style, Gakpo will fit in.
"The whole contract situation is such that with Gakpo, Liverpool hold the cards, and I don't think he'll end up down at Spurs. I also think Spurs don't really need Gakpo at the moment.
"I think there are other options for them. Plus, I think the cost of Gakpo is perhaps not what Spurs need to add to the strong squad they're putting together.
"I expect him to be in red and playing for Liverpool. I expect him to have quite a good season under Iraola as well. So I think it's best for both parties, for Liverpool and Gakpo, to stay where he is."
Curtis Jones sets sights on joining new club
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Inter Milan are still working on a deal to sign Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones as we approach the 1 September transfer deadline.
Sources have indicated that Jones is now keen to make the move to Serie A happen, as he no longer wants to be a squad player at Anfield.
The 25-year-old has provided useful versatility for the Reds in recent years, but managed just 18 starts in the Premier League last time out.
Inter have been pursuing him since the start of the summer, and they still haven't given up on a deal as the window enters its final stages.