The transfer window is heating up as Tottenham Hotspur intensify their pursuit of Manchester City’s dynamic Brazilian winger, Savinho, in a bid to bolster their attacking options before the September 1 deadline. The 21-year-old, who has expressed a strong desire to secure regular playing time, is reportedly eager to join Spurs, but negotiations have hit a snag over Manchester City’s steep valuation. With Tottenham’s initial £60 million offer falling short, the Premier League champions are holding firm, demanding at least an additional £5 million to consider parting ways with the talented winger. This transfer saga, unfolding in the final weeks of the summer window, has captivated fans and highlighted Tottenham’s ambition under manager Thomas Frank.
Savinho’s journey to this point has been one of promise and potential. After a standout loan spell at Girona in the 2023-24 season, where he scored nine goals and provided 10 assists, he joined Manchester City from their sister club Troyes for £30.8 million last summer. Despite making 48 appearances and contributing three goals and 13 assists in his debut season at the Etihad, Savinho has struggled to cement a starting role under Pep Guardiola. The arrival of French winger Rayan Cherki and competition from stars like Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and the returning Oscar Bobb have raised concerns about his game time, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming. “I want to play each week,” Savinho reportedly told his agents, emphasizing his ambition to secure a spot in Brazil’s national team. His openness to a move to Tottenham, where he could be a regular starter, has fueled optimism in North London.
Tottenham’s interest in Savinho comes at a critical juncture. The departure of club legend Son Heung-min to LAFC and season-ending injuries to key midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have left Spurs desperately short of creativity. Manager Thomas Frank sees Savinho as the “ideal player” to fill the void, praising his versatility and flair. “Savinho is unbelievable,” Frank echoed, a sentiment previously expressed by Guardiola himself. The Brazilian’s ability to play on either wing, combined with his dribbling prowess and creative output, makes him a perfect fit for Frank’s 4-2-3-1 system. Spurs envision deploying Savinho on the right, potentially allowing summer signing Mohammed Kudus to shift into a central No. 10 role, where he has excelled for Ghana.
Negotiations, however, are proving complex. Tottenham’s initial £60 million bid was rejected, with City insisting on a fee closer to £65-70 million, including add-ons. “If any club wants a player, they should call the club like we do,” Guardiola said, signaling that City will not budge unless their valuation is met. Savinho’s agents, led by Frederico Moraes of ProManager, have flown to London to push talks forward, underscoring the player’s commitment to the move. Despite City’s reluctance to sell, Guardiola’s policy of not blocking players who want out offers hope. “It’s the same like we do,” Guardiola added, suggesting that Savinho’s desire could dictate the outcome.
Spurs are not alone in their transfer ambitions. Alongside Savinho, they are in talks with Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze, though a valuation gap persists. The club has already spent £120.3 million this summer on signings like Kudus, Joao Palhinha, and permanent deals for Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso. However, with Maddison sidelined by an ACL tear and Kulusevski recovering from a patella issue, Frank is determined to add attacking depth. “Spurs will definitely make attacking signings,” a source close to the club confirmed, with Savinho and Eze as top targets. If the Savinho deal collapses, Tottenham are reportedly ready to pivot to other options, including Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott or Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are preparing for a potential departure. Should Savinho leave, they have their sights set on Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes, with a proposed €80 million offer plus €20 million in add-ons. The prospect of losing Savinho, who is contracted until 2028, has sparked debate among City fans, given his potential. Yet, with a crowded squad and UEFA regulations looming, City may need to offload players to balance their books. For Tottenham, meeting City’s demands could secure a marquee signing, signaling their intent to compete in the Premier League and Champions League. As negotiations continue, all eyes are on whether Spurs can bridge the financial gap to bring Savinho to North London.
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