Savinho Skips Training as Tottenham Pushes £70m Transfer

Savinho was missing from Manchester City’s open training session on Thursday. On the surface, the club put it down to illness. Behind the scenes, the transfer story that has been simmering for more than a year is starting to boil.

Tottenham Hotspur have chased the Brazil international for over 12 months. They failed to get him through the door last summer. This time, they are intent on closing the deal.

Roberto De Zerbi has given his approval. The new Spurs head coach wants at least two fresh attacking options before the 1 September deadline, and Savinho sits right at the top of that list. This is not just a recruitment department obsession; it is a manager-backed push.

On Thursday afternoon, Fabrizio Romano reported on X that Savinho has once again told City this week he wants out. His preference is clear: a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Romano has spoken in recent weeks of a “very good chance” that the winger ends up in north London, though he has consistently underlined one key condition – City want a replacement lined up before signing off on the sale. It is a similar dynamic to their pursuit of another major target, Cody Gakpo at Liverpool. One in, one out.

Even so, confidence is growing on the Tottenham side. A well-placed Spurs source on X has claimed in the last 24 hours that a deal for Savinho is expected to reach a positive conclusion within the next week. The anticipated fee? Around £70m.

Big money, big questions

Tottenham have already shown they are prepared to spend aggressively in this window. Determined to arm De Zerbi for a climb back up the Premier League table after back-to-back 17th-place finishes, they have not tiptoed into the market.

They blew rival bids away to land Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for a combined £185m. Those deals sent a clear message: this is a club trying to accelerate its rebuild, not just patch it.

But £70m for Savinho raises eyebrows.

City bought the Brazilian from Girona for £30m two years ago. Since then, he has made 84 appearances for the eight-time Premier League champions. The raw experience is there. The numbers, less so.

He never truly nailed down a permanent starting role under Pep Guardiola. Now, with Enzo Maresca in charge and reshaping the squad, City look ready to cash in if the price is right and a successor is secured.

That leaves Tottenham paying top-tier money for a player who has, so far, been more promise than production. Savinho clearly has quality – you do not last at City without it – but £70m demands more than flashes. It demands end product, consistency, and influence in big moments.

Maybe that is where De Zerbi comes in. A coach who clearly rates him, a system that might suit his strengths, and, crucially, the promise of regular football. That combination could unlock a level City never consistently saw.

Right now, though, Spurs are pushing hard for a player whose fee belongs to the elite bracket, while his record does not yet fully match it. They have wanted him for more than a year. They are about to find out whether that long-term conviction is inspired – or expensive.