Why Spurs must sign Real Madrid superstar instead of Cody Gakpo

No team has set the transfer window alight quite like Tottenham Hotspur have this summer.

We’ve never seen anything like it from the Lilywhites, who with Roberto De Zerbi at the helm, have spent over £200m on new recruits including the club-record buys Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

However, in recent times, things have slowed down. Spurs are now trying to sign a batch of new forwards but have so far been met with resistance.

Will they ever conclude a deal for Manchester City’s Savinho? As the clock ticks by, there should be some concerns about that one. There have been alternatives in their crosshairs, notably Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.

How Cody Gakpo compares to Spurs’ current wingers

In all areas last season, Spurs were simply not good enough, hence why they only just about survived being relegated.

In defence, they conceded too many and at the opposite end of the pitch, they did not score many. It said it all that Richarlison finished the campaign as the top goalscorer in all competitions with 12 strikes to his name.

Of course, it did not help that many of their best attacking players spent periods on the treatment table but alas, even when they did play, Thomas Frank, Igor Tudor and De Zerbi did not get much output.

Dominic Solanke only bagged six times across all competitions, Randal Kolo Muani netted on five occasions, while Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson scored four apiece. The injury hit seasons of Wilson Odobert (2 goals) and Mohammed Kudus (3 goals) did not help matters either.

As a result, Gakpo would be an excellent signing. He’s Premier League proven, scoring as many as 18 goals in all competitions during their triumphant 2023/24 season.

Before a nine goal term in 2025/26, the Dutchman had also scored more than 15 times in each of the last four campaigns. He’s a really dangerous threat in the final third and would offer that Heung-min Son like quality from the left-hand side that has been missing since the South Korean’s departure.

The sticking point is the price. At an asking price of £70m, has the 27-year-old shown enough at Anfield to warrant that price tag? Arguably not. A different option could be pursued as a result.

Tottenham’s perfect alternative for Gakpo

With the signings of Fernandes, Tonali, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke all sewn up, it is clear that De Zerbi has wanted to fill his Spurs team with Premier League ready players.

That has continued with their pursuit of Savinho and Gakpo but perhaps there is better value lying elsewhere?

Well, in the form of Endrick, they may well find it. According to reputable Spurs insider, Harry Hotspur, the Lilywhites have already held talks with the representatives of Real Madrid’s young superstar.

Vinicius Junior has signed a new deal at the Bernabeu while they have also agreed a deal to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, meaning that the Brazilian is set to face increased competition for a place in the team.

As a result, it’s likely Real will sanction some form of exit this summer. That is good news for Spurs if they decide to ramp up a move for the 20-year-old.

It must be stated that the youngster has not proven himself to be hugely clinical since trading South America for Europe. He burst onto the scene with a 14 goal season for Palmeiras in 2023. He was still a teenager at the time.

Yet, in the Spanish capital, he scored only seven times in 2024/25. Then, after being sent out on loan to Lyon in 2025/26, the forward scored eight goals and also registered eight assists.

It would seem that he is finally growing into his skin on a different continent and is growing in stature. After all, there is a reason that former Madrid and Brazil coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo once said Endrick “has all the qualities to be the best player in the world.”

Compared to Gakpo in 2025/26 too and it’s easy to see why the Madrid superstar would be such a captiavting addition.

Not only was he more prolific, but just overall Endrick was far more dynamic, far more dangerous than his Dutch counterpart.

The fact is that the Brazil wonderkid was not just one of the most electric players in France last season, but also one of the most lively players on the continent. He ranked among the finest 2% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for successful dribbles per 90 minutes.

While it is unclear whether Real would sanction a permanent move or a loan deal, Spurs would be getting their hands on a bigger talent than Gakpo, even if he is just more unproven.