Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Manchester City winger Savinho has hit a stumbling block, with the former Premier League champions reluctant to part with the 21-year-old Brazilian.
It was first revealed that Spurs showed interest last week after intermediaries offered the North London club the chance to sign the versatile forward. Tottenham then stepped up their interest yesterday Monday, August 11, holding direct talks with City over a potential deal.
However, sources indicate City have made it clear they intend to keep Savinho, who started 21 league matches last season and is viewed as an important part of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
The winger faces stiff competition at the Etihad, with Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki among Guardiola’s attacking options, but City remain firm in their stance.
Savinho is understood to be concerned about his chances of making Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, knowing that consistent playing time will be key to catching Carlo Ancelotti’s eye. Tottenham believe this could yet work in their favour, but sources caution that a deal remains “very tricky” at this stage.
City’s wider transfer activity — which has seen James McAtee on the verge of joining Nottingham Forest and Jack Grealish closing in on a loan move to Everton — has not altered their reluctance to sanction Savinho’s exit.
For new Spurs boss Thomas Frank, Savinho’s ability to play on either flank makes him a particularly attractive target. Manchester City expert Srinivas Sadhanand revealed that the Brazilian is most effective on the right, a role that could allow Mohammed Kudus to operate in his preferred number ten position.
Tottenham are also pushing to sign Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who would likely fill the number ten role if he arrived. At this stage, signing both Eze and Savinho is viewed as unlikely but not entirely impossible.
The injury to James Maddison (ACL rupture) has left a creative void in Frank’s squad, and with Dejan Kulusevski also sidelined, Spurs are exploring multiple high-profile solutions. Whether Savinho becomes one of them will depend on whether City soften their stance — and whether the player pushes for a move.