Fabrizio Romano hands worrying update on Savinho’s Manchester City to Tottenham transfer desire | OneFootball

Savinho has made clear his desire to leave Manchester City this summer and join Tottenham Hotspur under Roberto De Zerbi, despite the two clubs still being significantly apart on a transfer fee.

The 22-year-old joined City from the City Football Group’s network in 2024, arriving after a breakout loan season at Girona in La Liga that announced him as one of the most exciting young wingers in European football.

His two seasons at the Etihad Stadium brought moments of real quality but also inconsistency, with the Brazilian winger finding it difficult to nail down a regular starting berth in what was a crowded attacking unit under Pep Guardiola, managing just 24 appearances in all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign.

The arrival of Enzo Maresca and an already crowded wide forward group heading into the new season has seemingly convinced Savinho that a fresh start is the best path for his career, with Tottenham’s interest providing the outlet he has been seeking.

Savinho submitted a transfer request to the club earlier this summer, and director of football Hugo Viana has since been in discussions over a potential sale as City look to recoup funds and free up a squad place ahead of the window closing.

Romano: Savinho and Spurs agree personal terms but clubs “pretty far apart”

According to Fabrizio Romano, Savinho wants to join De Zerbi at Tottenham as soon as possible, with negotiations between the clubs underway despite the two parties being “pretty far apart” on a fee.

The player has already agreed personal terms with Tottenham, underlining the strength of his desire to make the switch – a level of commitment that increases the pressure on City to find a resolution before the window closes.

Savinho’s draw to Tottenham is understood to stem in large part from De Zerbi himself, whose expansive, attacking style of football is seen as the ideal platform for a wide forward of his profile to thrive at the highest level after a spell at City that did not consistently play to his strengths.

City, who signed Savinho on a contract running until 2031, hold significant leverage from a fee standpoint and will not be pushed into accepting a figure below their valuation simply because the player has expressed a wish to leave.

What does the fee standoff mean for Manchester City’s summer plans?

The “pretty far apart” characterisation from Romano is a notable one – suggesting this is not a straightforward negotiation close to conclusion, but a genuine impasse that will require one or both parties to move before a deal becomes possible.

City’s transfer activity this summer has already committed substantial resource to the Elliot Anderson signing, and the proceeds from a Savinho sale would provide Viana with the financial flexibility to address the remaining positions on his list before the window closes.

Whether Tottenham are willing to bridge the gap on the fee, or whether City blink first given the player’s clear desire to leave, will determine how quickly this saga moves toward a resolution – and whether Savinho is still a Manchester City player when the Premier League season opens against Bournemouth on 23 August.