When Tottenham will get Cody Gakpo answer as Liverpool 'radio silence' explained
Tottenham Hotspur are having to stay patient in their pursuit of Cody Gakpo.
In the midst of Tottenham's 2026-27 Premier League season getting underway on Saturday, transfer business is still to be done.
Roberto De Zerbi has been backed significantly in the market this summer, but now new arrivals have joined since early July.
Spurs appear keen to strengthen their forward line before the deadline, and Gakpo's name has been strongly touted for weeks.
The 27-year-old turned out 52 times for Liverpool in all competitions last season, but his role under new boss Andoni Iraola looks uncertain.
But, his route to an N17 transfer isn't a straight one, and Spurs will need multiple dominoes to fall.
What is holding up Tottenham's move for Cody Gakpo?
Still in the prime of his career and a proven performer at Premier League level, Gakpo would be a big addition for Tottenham.
Liverpool know this, however, and Anfield chiefs will be aware of the danger posed by strengthening a top-flight rival.
It's this which seems to be the snag in Tottenham's swoop for Gakpo.
Voetbal International reporter Joost Blaauwhof claims on X that there is currently "radio silence" pertaining to Gakpo's potential Tottenham transfer.
Blaauwhof claims that this is down to the fact Liverpool haven't yet succeeded in their mission to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
Unless that happens, it's claimed that Spurs' chances of signing Gakpo are all but non-existent.
Blaauwhof states that all parties involved in Gakpo's possible Tottenham move know this, and understand where they sit at present.
Should Barcola sign at Anfield, then it's claimed that Gakpo will have the final say on whether he leaves Liverpool for Spurs.
So, with Liverpool's season getting started on Sunday, is Gakpo expected to play against Newcastle?
What has Iraola said about Gakpo's Newcastle availability?
Liverpool travel to Tyneside on Sunday afternoon, with Newcastle awaiting them in a 4:30pm kick-off to open their new campaign.
Gakpo played 73 minutes in the Reds' final pre-season game against Como last weekend, in which he scored and provided an assist.
Speaking via the Liverpool Echo, Iraola has strongly suggested that the Dutchman will be part of his team at St James' Park this weekend.
"Cody is performing really well. I think he has been since the first day of training very well understanding what we need from his position," he said.
"You can feel it straight away when you talk to him that he understands the game, he is very smart.
"He has been one of our best players in the friendlies. I cannot tell you the starting XI (at Newcastle), my players don't know it so I'll never say it, but definitely he is in a great spot."
It would seem then, that Gakpo is still firmly in Iraola's thinking for now, and even if Barcola was to sign, there's still no guarantee of a Tottenham move.