Sign him: £309k-p/w Spurs target is in a different league to Cody Gakpo

After such a rampant start to the window for Tottenham Hotspur, things were also going to hit a bit of a lull at some stage.

There is a feeling, though, that the Lilywhites have lost a little momentum following their impressive early business, having blown their rivals away to sign the likes of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

With the new Premier League season now looming, the Lilywhites are in danger of being left light in attack, with all their good work this summer potentially set to be undone if major upgrades aren’t signed in the forward line.

Indeed, having stamped their authority all over this window, might it feel a bit of a damp squib to see the likes of Cody Gakpo end up arriving through the door?

How Gakpo compared to Spurs forwards in 2025/26

It all remains a little uncertain as to whether Liverpool will be willing to sell Gakpo or not before deadline day, with it reportedly set to require a “massive bid” for the Anfield side to even contemplate cashing in.

And yet, for his part, the Dutchman appears to be keen on the move, particularly with his place potentially under threat on Merseyside amid the expected arrival of Bradley Barcola.

The 27-year-old would fit the brief as another Premier League-proven option, but his record, be it as a winger or number nine, isn’t too stellar at his current side, netting just 50 goals in 180 games to date.

For comparison, even Richarlison bettered that rate at Everton, with 53 goals in 152 games for the Toffees.

As for 2025/26, Gakpo’s tally of 12 goals and assists did ensure he compares favourably to Roberto De Zerbi‘s current crop, with Richarlison the only player to better that record back at N17 (15).

In terms of goals scored alone, Gakpo was again only behind Richarlison (seven vs 11), while his tally of five assists placed him level with both Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons.

It’s difficult to say he wouldn’t be a potential upgrade, considering last season’s woes, but that’s not to say that ENIC can’t potentially find better value in the market, particularly if the aim is to use the Netherlands star through the middle.

Spurs could forget about Gakpo with ‘bomba’ signing

De Zerbi teased a ‘bomba’ signing, but there’s been little progress on that front as yet, with the major news of late having been Micky van de Ven’s imminent contract extension, as well as Cristian Romero’s likely exit.

Perhaps players need to be shifted first before any further incomings can arrive, but the club’s dream targets are unlikely to come cheap, both in terms of transfer fees and wage demands.

Indeed, that might be the case with regard to Victor Osimhen, with TEAMtalk reporting that Spurs are currently debating whether a move for the Nigerian makes sense financially.

It is suggested that talks have been held regarding a potential deal for the 27-year-old, as he’s been offered to the club by intermediaries.

The question now is as to whether the Lilywhites will pay his ‘huge wages’, with Osimhen’s current gross salary said to be £309k-per-week in Turkey, ensuring he is likely to comfortably become Tottenham’s highest earner.

ENIC have already shown this summer that they are willing to go big to hand De Zerbi the best chance of success, with Osimhen surely the prime candidate to reinforce the frontline.

There has been talk that Gakpo might be deployed as something of a false nine at N17, with Savinho the man to strengthen on the flanks, but if that is the case, why not just move for Osimhen instead?

The former Napoli man is among the real cream of the crop in terms of strikers in Europe, having been prolific wherever he’s been, be it in Belgium, France, Italy or Turkey.

At Napoli, for instance, the Lagos-born sensation was the driving force behind their 2022/23 Scudetto triumph, having hit 26 Serie A goals that season.

In all, he scored 76 goals in just 133 games in Naples, while he’s since fired in 59 in just 74 in Istanbul, following his initial loan move to Galatasaray in 2024.

Even in an injury-hit 2025/26, he still blows Gakpo out of the water in terms of his goalscoring exploits, netting 15 goals from just 19 Super Lig starts, alongside matching the Dutchman’s tally of five assists.

In the Champions League too, Osimhen scored seven in just ten outings for the Turkish giants, having also scored six in seven Europa League games the year prior, including a brace against Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs.

As for Gakpo, well, his 11 Champions League appearances in 2025/26 yielded only two goals, having scored three in eight games in the competition the season before.

Considering Gakpo is a ‘winger’ whose game is primarily all about goals rather than creativity or dribbling, it does appear fair to compare him with an out-and-out, old-fashioned number nine like Osimhen.

To date, the Nigerian has scored 173 club career goals, while Gakpo – who is the same age as his Galatasaray counterpart – has scored just 105, across his time at PSV and Liverpool.

Therein lies the difference in quality, with Osimhen simply in a different league. He surely looks to be worth forking out for?