Tottenham’s best XI if Cody Gakpo and Savinho complete summer transfers

Tottenham are pushing to strengthen their attacking options before the summer transfer window closes, with Roberto De Zerbi making it clear he believes his squad rebuild is far from complete.

After an ambitious recruitment drive that has already exceeded £230million in spending, the Spurs head coach has insisted the club are only around 60 per cent of the way through their transfer plans. Wide attacking reinforcements remain a priority, with Manchester City winger Savinho and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo both firmly on the club's radar.

FootballPlace understands Liverpool are not looking to part with Gakpo and have not entered negotiations with Tottenham. The Netherlands international still has four years remaining on his contract, meaning any deal would likely depend on Liverpool sourcing a replacement first.

Savinho appears the more attainable target after indicating he wants more regular first-team football, although Manchester City are expected to demand a significant fee following the Brazilian's recent long-term contract extension.

Should Tottenham secure both players, De Zerbi would gain several tactical options capable of transforming his frontline.

Although Gakpo has spent much of his career operating from the left, De Zerbi is believed to see the Dutch international as a central striker capable of linking midfield and attack.

Rather than leading the line traditionally, Gakpo's role would involve dropping between the lines to create space for quicker runners around him. His ability to receive possession under pressure and combine with midfielders fits the profile De Zerbi typically demands from his centre-forward.

That would also allow Savinho to remain in wider positions, where his acceleration and direct dribbling can isolate full-backs and attack the space behind defensive lines.

Predicted XI: Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Fernandes, Tonali; Kudus, Maddison, Savinho; Gakpo.

Tottenham's options on the right flank remain uncertain heading towards the new campaign.

Mohammed Kudus is continuing his recovery from a quad injury after missing the club's pre-season tour, while Wilson Odobert is still working his way back from a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Savinho would provide De Zerbi with an immediate starter capable of stretching defences, carrying the ball over long distances and creating one-against-one situations.

Although naturally inclined to cut inside onto his stronger foot, his arrival would still add pace and unpredictability to Spurs' attack. With Gakpo operating from the opposite flank, both forwards could drift into central areas, creating room for Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie to provide attacking width from full-back.

Predicted XI: Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Fernandes, Tonali; Savinho, Maddison, Gakpo; Solanke.

One of Tottenham's biggest shortcomings last season was their inability to consistently control possession through central areas.

The arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes are expected to improve Spurs' ability to progress the ball, but De Zerbi may still seek greater numerical superiority in midfield, particularly against stronger opponents.

Deploying Savinho in a more central attacking role behind Gakpo could help create a fluid box midfield during possession. As Gakpo drops deeper to receive the ball, Fernandes and Tonali would have additional passing angles, while the wide forwards attack the space left behind.

The system would demand constant movement and significant physical output, but it could give Tottenham greater control in matches where retaining possession is the priority.

With James Maddison's fitness still uncertain before the start of the season, such flexibility may prove particularly valuable during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Predicted XI: Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Fernandes, Tonali; Kudus, Savinho; Tel, Gakpo.

Key points

Landing both Gakpo and Savinho would complete a significant overhaul of Tottenham's attacking unit and provide De Zerbi with the tactical flexibility his possession-based system relies upon.

While Savinho appears the more realistic deal at this stage, Liverpool's reluctance to sell means any move for Gakpo is likely to depend on developments later in the transfer window. Much will depend on whether the Merseyside club decide they can source an adequate replacement before deadline day.