Tottenham Hotspur has signed Brazilian winger Savinho from Manchester City for a reported initial fee of £75 million, making a significant splash in the transfer market. This substantial investment pushes the club's overall spending in the current transfer window beyond the £300 million mark. It clearly signals manager Roberto De Zerbi's intent to rebuild the squad.
Savinho, who is just 22 years old, didn't manage to secure a regular first-team spot during his two seasons at Manchester City. However, Spurs are counting on his pace and creativity to strengthen an attack that narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season. This was a fate the club hadn't experienced in 49 years.
"It’s taken a while, but I’m very happy to be here. It’s a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world," Savinho stated in a Tottenham press release. He also mentioned that his decision was solidified after speaking with the head coach, who promised to help him reach his full potential.
Roberto De Zerbi's arrival last season was crucial in steering Spurs away from the relegation zone. Nevertheless, his ambitious squad overhaul experienced a rough start this season. The team suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brentford on the opening weekend of the Premier League. The club has already welcomed expensive arrivals like Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, in addition to Jan Paul van Hecke. Free transfers for Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Martin Dubravka have also strengthened the team.
De Zerbi expressed his satisfaction with the signing. He described Savinho as a player who brings "energy, imagination and quality in wide positions." The manager emphasized the winger's bravery in challenging defenders and his capacity to impact games with his creativity. De Zerbi is keen to collaborate with Savinho, help him develop his game, and integrate his personality into the team.
Manchester City could potentially increase their earnings from the Savinho deal by an additional £10 million through add-on clauses. Further business is also anticipated between the two clubs, as Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush is reportedly close to moving from Manchester to North London before the transfer window closes next week.
Savinho initially joined Manchester City in 2024 from Troyes, which is one of several clubs owned by City's ownership group. The transfer fee at that time was £30 million. He first attracted significant attention during an impressive loan spell at Girona, another club affiliated with the City Football Group. Despite this early promise, he hasn't managed to replicate that form in England.
During his 84 appearances for Manchester City, Savinho scored only seven goals. His tenure at the club overlapped with Pep Guardiola's final two seasons in charge. During that period, City narrowly missed out on winning both the Premier League and the Champions League.