Major Tottenham signing off, with even bigger second deal also scrapped
Tottenham Hotspur’s ambitious summer transfer plans have taken a significant hit, with reports confirming that the club will not be completing a deal for a high-profile attacking target they had already submitted a bid for. To make matters more intriguing, this development has also derailed an even bigger transfer that was indirectly linked to the move.
The north London side are operating under clear urgency in the transfer market. With the September 1 deadline approaching, manager Thomas Frank is determined to secure fresh attacking talent capable of carrying the load in a campaign where Spurs will once again compete in the UEFA Champions League.
Spurs’ attacking department has been weakened considerably in recent months. James Maddison’s ACL injury has robbed the side of their primary creative force in midfield, while the departure of long-serving star Son Heung-min to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC has left a gaping hole in the forward line. Those two blows have put added pressure on the club to deliver quality reinforcements that can keep them competitive both domestically and in Europe.
One deal that appears to be on course is Tottenham’s pursuit of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, an agreement between the two clubs is already in place, with Spurs earmarking him for the coveted No. 10 role. Eze is seen as the ideal replacement for Maddison and could provide the spark Tottenham have lacked in advanced midfield areas.
However, attention has now turned to the collapse of another marquee signing – Savinho. The Brazilian winger, currently on the books at Manchester City, had emerged as a serious target for Spurs earlier this month. Tottenham lodged a formal bid in the region of £42 million, but City were holding firm on a valuation closer to £60–67 million, as reported by The Times.
Savinho, for his part, was not desperate to leave the Etihad but was open to the idea of joining Spurs. With the World Cup on the horizon, the youngster had been keen to secure regular first-team football – something Pep Guardiola may not have been able to guarantee this season. Yet, despite Spurs’ willingness to negotiate, City have ultimately closed the door on his potential exit.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balagué confirmed the news via social media on Monday, writing: “Manchester City have decided Savinho is to stay.” His update echoes recent claims by reporter Graeme Bailey, who suggested City had already cooled their stance on selling the winger.
Interestingly, Savinho’s situation has had a ripple effect beyond Tottenham. Had City sanctioned his departure – along with midfielder James McAtee, who has since joined Nottingham Forest – Guardiola was prepared to green-light an audacious move for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. The Brazilian forward is highly regarded by Guardiola, and City had internally discussed making an approach if both McAtee and Savinho were sold.
However, with Savinho staying put, that scenario has now been completely ruled out. Balagué further clarified the situation, stating: “[Savinho staying] kills any possibility of Rodrygo joining City (Real Madrid did not get an offer for him as it was depending on Savinho leaving).”
In a follow-up post on Tuesday, the Spanish journalist doubled down on his stance, leaving no room for speculation: “Now City have decided to keep Savinho, the option of Rodrygo going to City is over.”
For Tottenham, the collapse of the Savinho deal represents a missed opportunity to add a dynamic winger who could have reshaped their attack. For Manchester City, meanwhile, it underlines Guardiola’s intent to maintain squad depth and versatility heading into another demanding season. And for Real Madrid, it means one of their prized forwards remains off-limits, at least for now.
Ultimately, Spurs are left to focus their attention on securing Eze and potentially exploring alternative targets before the deadline. With time running out and squad gaps still glaring, the pressure is firmly on chairman Daniel Levy and the recruitment team to ensure the club heads into September with the firepower needed to compete on all fronts.