Romano: Tottenham make shock move for Man City star as talks opened, player open to move
Tottenham in Surprise Talks to Sign Manchester City’s Savinho as Transfer Deadline Approaches
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly opened formal negotiations with Manchester City over a potential deal to sign winger Savinho, in what would be one of the most unexpected transfer twists of the summer. The move, if completed, could see the talented Brazilian leave the Etihad Stadium after just one season under Pep Guardiola.
The 21-year-old attacker arrived at Manchester City last summer with high expectations, signing a long-term deal that runs until the summer of 2029. In his debut campaign in England, Savinho quickly established himself as a versatile option in Guardiola’s squad, making 48 appearances in all competitions. Of those, 29 came in the Premier League, with the Brazilian starting 21 matches.
His involvement wasn’t limited to domestic action. Savinho played a key role in Europe as well, starting seven of City’s 10 Champions League fixtures and featuring in the FIFA Club World Cup, where he made three appearances during the tournament in the United States. Comfortable on either flank, Savinho contributed three goals and an impressive 13 assists across all competitions last season, underlining his creative threat.
Despite his contributions, speculation over his future has intensified in recent days. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have initiated “club-to-club talks” with Manchester City, with negotiations described as ongoing. Romano also reported that Savinho is open to making the switch to North London if the two clubs can reach an agreement on the transfer fee.
Tottenham’s interest in Savinho comes amid an active summer window under new boss Thomas Frank, who is said to view the Brazilian as an ideal addition to his squad. The North London outfit have already secured the services of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, another winger primarily deployed on the right. However, with Savinho having featured on the left wing 12 times for City last season, Frank could be eyeing the flexibility to rotate his attacking options.
Manchester City’s recent acquisition of French playmaker Rayan Cherki from Lyon may have paved the way for Savinho’s possible departure. Cherki, like Savinho, is capable of playing on either flank as well as through the middle, giving Guardiola a new creative outlet and potentially making the Brazilian more expendable.
Savinho’s time in Manchester has certainly had its highlights. One of his standout performances came in January, when he played a starring role in City’s 4–1 win over West Ham United. That day, he forced an own goal from Vladimir Coufal and set up two goals for Erling Haaland. Guardiola was quick to heap praise on the youngster, describing him as a player with “something special” but also noting areas for improvement, particularly his aggression off the ball.
“I think he’s clean in his mind,” Guardiola said after the match. “He doesn’t overthink. That’s a gift for a young player. You have to prove yourself again and again. Savinho has everything to win and to keep proving himself. He’s old-fashioned in the best sense—left foot on the left, right foot on the right—and those kinds of crosses really suit our strikers. He’s still got a lot to work on, but I’m very happy for him.”
With the transfer window closing on September 1, time is running out for Spurs to strike a deal. Should Tottenham succeed, it would represent a significant coup and a bold statement of intent as they prepare for the new season. For City, it would mean parting ways with a promising young talent after just one campaign—a move that, while surprising, may reflect their evolving attacking options under Guardiola.