Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer window took a dramatic turn in August 2025 as the club shifted gears after missing out on Crystal Palace’s star midfielder Eberechi Eze, who opted for a move to rivals Arsenal. Under the guidance of new manager Thomas Frank, Spurs have responded with ambition, tabling an improved €80 million (£69m/$93m) bid for Manchester City’s electrifying Brazilian winger Savinho. This move underscores Tottenham’s determination to bolster their attacking options and compete at the highest level in the Premier League and Champions League, despite a challenging start to the season marked by injuries and key departures.
The pursuit of Eze, a 27-year-old England international, had been a priority for Spurs following the season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury to midfielder James Maddison and the departure of club legend Son Heung-min to Los Angeles FC after a decade of service, during which he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances. Eze, who shone in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph over Manchester City last season and lifted the Community Shield in 2025, was seen as the ideal replacement to fill the creative void. “I think there are a lot of good players out there,” Frank said cautiously when asked about Eze before Tottenham’s UEFA Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain, hinting at the club’s broader transfer strategy. Spurs reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Palace, with talks centering on a £55m fee plus add-ons after Eze’s £68m release clause expired. However, Arsenal swooped in with a £60m offer, capitalizing on Eze’s preference to join his boyhood club, where he began his youth career.
The loss of Eze to their North London rivals stung, but Spurs, led by chairman Daniel Levy and Frank, quickly pivoted to Savinho, a 21-year-old winger who has struggled for regular minutes at Manchester City since joining from sister club Troyes in 2024. Savinho’s agents have been vocal about his desire for consistent playing time, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, making Tottenham an attractive destination. “I don’t know, if Tottenham or any other club wants a player, they should call the club,” City manager Pep Guardiola said, remaining noncommittal about the transfer. Spurs’ initial €50m (£43m) and €70m (£60.3m) bids were rebuffed, but the latest €80m offer signals their determination to secure the Brazilian, whose flair and versatility could thrive in Frank’s dynamic 3-5-2 system, which was on display in a 3-0 Premier League win over Burnley, where Richarlison scored twice.
Frank’s vision for Tottenham, built on his successful tenure at Brentford, emphasizes set-piece dominance and tactical discipline, qualities evident in Spurs’ resilient performance against PSG in the Super Cup, where they drew 2-2 before losing on penalties. “We played a very good game against one of—maybe the best—teams in the world,” Frank said, highlighting the potential of his squad despite its injury woes. With Dejan Kulusevski sidelined by knee surgery and Dominic Solanke battling fitness issues, the need for attacking reinforcements is acute. Savinho, alongside recent signings like Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha, could provide the spark Tottenham need to challenge in multiple competitions, building on their Europa League triumph under former manager Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham’s interest in Savinho isn’t their only move to address squad depth. The club has explored a deal for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, a player Frank knows well from his time at the Bees, though Newcastle’s rejected bids for the striker complicate matters. There’s also talk of including Richarlison in negotiations to free up funds, though the Brazilian, who “deserves a lot of praise” for his recent performances, per Frank, prefers to stay. Additionally, Spurs are eyeing Brentford captain Nathan Collins to bolster their defense amid Radu Dragusin’s injury, with Frank keen to reunite with the £23m-rated center-back.
The transfer saga reflects Tottenham’s broader ambition under Frank, who has won over players with his hands-on approach, often using a tactics board on the pitch to clarify instructions—a departure from Postecoglou’s more reserved style. “It was a perfect start, our dream start, but we all know we need to follow on it,” Frank said after the Burnley win, emphasizing consistency. As the September 1 transfer deadline looms, Spurs’ pursuit of Savinho, potentially alongside other targets like Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche or Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, signals their intent to move past the Eze disappointment and build a squad capable of challenging for silverware. With negotiations ongoing and Savinho’s agents in London, Tottenham fans are hopeful that the Brazilian’s arrival could mark the start of a thrilling new chapter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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