£69m “superstar” wants to seal deadline day move to Spurs, Simons will love him
The arrival of Xavi Simons at Tottenham Hotspur marks the end of a month-long pursuit by the North London club as they searched desperately for a replacement for James Maddison. For Ange Postecoglou and the Spurs hierarchy, this deal carries significant weight, not only because of the talent Simons brings but also because of the difficult circumstances surrounding Maddison’s future.
This season was supposed to be a defining one for Maddison, especially with the World Cup looming on the horizon. Having already endured the disappointment of being left out of England’s squad for the European Championships, the attacking midfielder was determined to bounce back and remind Gareth Southgate of his quality. Instead, his hopes have been shattered once again after suffering a devastating ACL injury that will keep him sidelined for the majority of the 2025/26 campaign.
Tottenham’s recruitment team quickly turned their attention to potential replacements, with Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White both emerging as leading candidates. Eze, however, chose to cross the North London divide by signing for Arsenal, while Gibbs-White was rewarded with a lucrative new contract by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, effectively ending Spurs’ hopes of luring either player.
That chain of events left the door wide open for Xavi Simons. The Dutch star, who has grown into one of the brightest playmakers in European football, agreed to join Spurs after they struck a £51 million deal with RB Leipzig. At just 22 years old, Simons already boasts versatility, creativity, and flair—qualities that could prove invaluable in Postecoglou’s high-tempo, attacking system.
Spurs may not be finished just yet
Despite completing the Simons signing, Spurs may not be done in the market. Injuries have already cast a shadow over their attacking options, with Dominic Solanke picking up another fitness issue and Richarlison continuing to struggle for consistency and availability since arriving in the capital. Relying on those two alone to lead the line could be risky, and Tottenham know they cannot afford to leave themselves short of firepower.
That is why the club is exploring one more high-profile addition before the transfer window closes. Several names have been floated, including West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman. Yet, the most realistic target appears to be Manchester City’s highly rated Brazilian winger, Savinho.
Reports from earlier this summer suggested Spurs were in talks over a potential £69 million move for the 21-year-old, and while City have been reluctant to sanction a sale, Savinho is pushing hard for the switch. His frustration with the Premier League champions’ stance has only grown in recent weeks, and he is eager to secure a role where he can play regularly. Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Spurs “love” the player, adding that the deal “is not dead in the water,” thanks in large part to Savinho’s own determination to make it happen.
A partnership that could transform Spurs’ attack
Should Tottenham pull this off, they would be acquiring one of Europe’s most exciting wide players. Despite scoring just three goals last season, Savinho contributed 13 assists across all competitions and consistently ranked among the continent’s elite in creative metrics. According to FBref, he sits in the top 13% of players in his position for assists per 90 minutes, the top 3% for progressive carries, and the top 6% for successful take-ons. Those numbers put him in the same creative bracket as Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz—two of Europe’s brightest young attacking stars.
Paul Merson has already described Savinho as a “superstar in the making,” and the thought of him linking up with Xavi Simons is tantalizing for Spurs supporters. Simons himself is no stranger to such elite company; over the past year, he has ranked among the best 13% of players in his role for progressive passes. That combination of vision from Simons and direct running from Savinho could prove lethal, giving Spurs a dual threat capable of breaking down even the most stubborn defenses.
The prospect of Simons feeding Brennan Johnson’s pace in behind, while also having the technical brilliance of Kudus and the dribbling danger of Savinho around him, would give Ange Postecoglou an embarrassment of riches in attack. It would also provide the depth needed to cope with injuries and the demanding nature of competing on multiple fronts.
Tottenham have already shown flashes of brilliance this season, scoring five goals across matches against Burnley and Manchester City. Yet, their shortcomings were laid bare against Bournemouth, where they managed just five shots compared to Andoni Iraola’s 20, failing to register a single big chance. It is this inconsistency in chance creation that Tottenham are desperate to address, and the arrivals of Simons and potentially Savinho could be the solution.
In short, Spurs may have just set the stage for a new-look attack built around youthful energy, creativity, and flair. With Simons already secured and Savinho potentially on the way, the North London side could be on the cusp of assembling one of the most dynamic forward lines in European football—a move that might not only soften the blow of Maddison’s absence but also propel them into genuine contention for silverware this season.