Tottenham Hotspur have undergone a dramatic shift in fortunes over a remarkably short period. Just three years on from Harry Kane’s departure, and a Europa League triumph aside, the club has largely been in freefall — back-to-back relegation battles, four managers across two seasons, and an injury crisis that has tested everyone’s patience.
But under Roberto De Zerbi, there are genuine reasons for optimism. The club finally has a manager with a clear footballing identity, and the early signs from the transfer window suggest recruitment is becoming more purposeful. Andy Robertson is already through the door, Marcos Senesi’s announcement is imminent, and more arrivals are expected to follow.
Tottenham Close In On High-Profile Attacking Signing
Having secured Robertson and Senesi on free transfers, Spurs are now preparing to spend significant fees on further upgrades. Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke remains a primary defensive target — personal terms are reportedly settled, and only a club-to-club agreement stands in the way. He would form an impressive partnership alongside Senesi at the back.
But despite conceding more than 16 other Premier League clubs last season, Tottenham recognise that attack also needs attention. Enter Savinho. Reports from the Daily Mail indicate that negotiations with Manchester City have reached an advanced stage, with a deal worth in the region of £60 million potentially close to completion. The Brazilian is said to have wanted this move for over a year, ever since Spurs first registered their interest. That transfer did not materialise then — but the probability of it happening this summer is growing by the day, with discussions continuing over the structure of the offer.
Why Savinho Could Fill The Void Son Left Behind
The scepticism is understandable. How do you compare a player like Son Heung-min — 173 goals in 454 Spurs appearances — to someone who managed just one goal last season? Much like the post-Kane era, Tottenham have struggled to replace their South Korean talisman since his departure a year ago. As Liverpool are about to discover with Mohamed Salah, replacing a legend in the transfer market is never straightforward.
Savinho operates on the opposite flank to where Son predominantly played, but the stylistic parallels are there. Both are instinctive, direct wingers who thrive in one-versus-one situations with a first impulse to carry the ball forward rather than recycle possession. That one-goal return last season is misleading — Savinho started just seven Premier League matches in 2025-26, and when given minutes, his impact was clear through his carrying and dribbling rather than goal contributions.
The numbers back it up. At 22, he recorded 9.76 progressive actions per 90 minutes last season, with 7.45 of those being progressive carries — figures that place him in the top 1% among wingers across Europe’s top five leagues. In Son’s final Spurs campaign, he averaged 7.95 progressive actions and 4.21 progressive carries per 90, with 1.36 of those carries resulting in a shot. Savinho’s equivalent figure was 1.86 — marginally more prolific in that specific regard.
Son is undoubtedly the superior player overall, and nobody is suggesting otherwise. But in terms of how Savinho can influence a match from wide areas through movement, creativity, and directness, there is plenty to get excited about. His 2024-25 season at City told a broader story too — 13 goal contributions and a ranking second only to Kevin De Bruyne for key passes per game at the Etihad, averaging 1.6.
£60 million for a player who scored once last season sounds steep at face value. But Savinho is 22, Premier League-proven, and among the most gifted dribblers in world football right now. The ceiling is high — and for a Tottenham side that desperately needs spark from wide areas, this could prove to be money well spent.
