Tottenham have gone back in for Savinho after missing out on the Brazilian last summer, and their latest move could reveal plenty about Roberto De Zerbi’s plans, the club’s transfer strategy and where the rebuild is heading.
Tottenham’s summer rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi is off to a good start, with deals for Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson already understood to be completed, and the club now seemingly closing in on a third major addition.
Spurs have gone back in for Manchester City’s Savinho after being blocked from signing the winger last year. This time, however, the situation appears very different, with City reportedly open to a deal and discussions understood to be moving in a positive direction.
Given Tottenham have already been knocked back twice in their attempts to land the Brazilian and would likely need to spend around £50 million to get the deal done, it is fair to ask why the club remain so determined to bring him to north London.
Here are five things we made of Tottenham’s latest move for Savinho.
Tottenham are determined to find a new left winger
One of the most interesting aspects of Savinho’s profile is that, despite being heavily left-footed, he is comfortable operating on either flank. We have seen him do exactly that under Pep Guardiola, which immediately gives Tottenham some much-needed flexibility in wide areas.
At the moment, both of Spurs’ natural right-wing options, Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski, are sidelined with injuries and there remains uncertainty over when either will return. On the left, Mathys Tel is currently the only senior option available, but consistency has remained an issue throughout the campaign.
Since the departure of Heung Min Son last season, Tottenham have not really replaced a player who can consistently progress the ball, beat defenders and create chances from the left side. It has been a noticeable weakness throughout the season, with many of Spurs’ attacking moves becoming heavily reliant on the right flank.
There are more traditional left-wing options on the market. Marcus Rashford and Rafael Leao immediately spring to mind. However, wages, transfer fees and Tottenham’s lack of European football could make those deals extremely difficult to pull off. When you factor in Savinho’s age, versatility and suitability to the system, this is a move that simply makes a lot of sense.
Spurs want to reconnect with the club’s identity
‘Audere Est Facere’ translates to ‘To Dare Is To Do’, and when that is the motto of your football club, it is easy to understand why large sections of the fanbase eventually grew tired of the more cautious approaches associated with managers such as Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Thomas Frank.
Many supporters felt those rigid low-block systems drifted too far away from what Tottenham traditionally represent. The club has always been associated with attacking football, flair and players capable of producing moments that get supporters out of their seats.
That has been missing for long periods in recent years. Mohammed Kudus briefly provided that excitement before his season-ending injury in January, but since then, Tottenham’s wide play has often looked boring and predictable.
Even Brennan Johnson, despite finishing as the club’s leading scorer last season, faced criticism because he rarely looked to take on defenders or create something in one-v-one situations.
And Savinho offers exactly what the Tottenham fanbase wants to see on the pitch. His successful dribble completion rate stood at 95.9 per cent during the 2024/25 campaign, and he recorded an expected assists figure of 6.10 despite seeing reduced minutes the following season.
If Tottenham can eventually field Savinho on one flank and Kudus on the other, supporters could finally see the sort of entertaining wing play that has been absent for far too long.
Roberto De Zerbi is likely on board with this deal
One concern among some supporters is that several of Tottenham’s current transfer targets were linked with the club before De Zerbi even arrived. Savinho, Robertson and Senesi had all been mentioned previously, leading some fans to question just how much influence the new head coach is actually having over recruitment.
However, that argument overlooks a couple of important factors. Chairman Peter Charrington made it clear in his letter to supporters that Tottenham would build a squad ‘led by De Zerbi’. The Italian has also publicly spoken about having a clear vision for the group he wants to work with next season.
Moreover, these are not players who look incompatible with his style of football. Quite the opposite. Savinho, in particular, possesses many of the traits De Zerbi typically values in attacking players. He is technically secure, comfortable receiving under pressure and capable of creating overloads in wide areas.
There is also a practical reality to consider. Tottenham are coming off back-to-back seventeenth-place finishes and will not have European football next season. That inevitably limits the pool of players available at the right price.
Tottenham want De Zerbi’s core squad in place early
“My target is to start the pre-season with the team I have in my dream, in my head.”
Those were Roberto De Zerbi’s words after Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation on the final day against Everton, and the club’s actions since then suggest they are taking that message seriously.
The transfer window has not even officially opened yet, but Spurs already appear close to completing two deals and continue to be strongly linked with several others, including Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke.
That stands out because Tottenham have rarely been known for moving particularly quickly in transfer windows. More often than not, major business drags into late summer before eventually getting completed.
This summer, however, the club seem intent on securing De Zerbi’s priority targets as early as possible so that pre-season can be spent implementing ideas rather than waiting for reinforcements to arrive. For a manager introducing a completely new playing style, that approach feels sensible.
It also helps Tottenham avoid inflated prices and potential bidding wars later in the summer when more clubs enter the market.
Tottenham still need a world-class striker
The prospect of Kudus and Savinho supplying chances from either wing is undeniably exciting. Both players possess the ability to beat defenders, create overloads and consistently put dangerous balls into the box.
However, there is one obvious question that follows. Who is finishing those chances?
For all of Tottenham’s attacking talent, they still lack a truly elite goalscorer. Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison have managed just 15 Premier League goals between them this season, which is nowhere near enough for a side hoping to climb back towards the top end of the table.
If Tottenham want to maximise the potential of creators like Savinho and Kudus, they need a striker capable of converting opportunities at an elite level.
Whether that is Victor Osimhen, Omar Marmoush, Dusan Vlahovic or another top-class forward entirely, we would argue that signing a number nine remains just as important as strengthening the wings.