Bid ready: Tottenham going all in to sign star after Eze loss, London talks ongoing – journalist

Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans have been thrown into complete disarray after experiencing a major setback in their pursuit of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.

In a dramatic turn of events that has left club officials reeling, the England international performed a last-minute change of heart and decided to join Arsenal instead, despite having previously agreed to personal terms with Spurs.

This disappointing development represents the second significant transfer disappointment for Tottenham this summer, following the earlier collapse of their move for Morgan Gibbs-White.

That deal fell apart when Nottingham Forest blocked the transfer, threatened legal action, and ultimately persuaded the midfielder to sign a new contract with them instead.

The loss of Eze creates a serious problem for manager Thomas Frank, who now finds himself desperately needing creative reinforcements.

The situation became especially urgent after James Maddison suffered a devastating ACL injury that will keep him out for most of the upcoming season.

Without a proper number ten, Tottenham’s attacking plans face significant challenges just as the new campaign gets underway.

In response to this setback, Tottenham’s recruitment team has quickly shifted their attention to alternative targets.

Among the names being considered are several promising young talents, including Como’s highly-rated Nico Paz, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.

Each player offers different qualities, but none bring the proven Premier League experience that Eze would have provided.

Perhaps the most interesting name on their list is Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who has long been admired by Tottenham’s scouting department.

However, any move for the Liverpool youngster would face competition from RB Leipzig, who are reportedly preparing their own offer, meaning Tottenham would need to act quickly if they want to secure his services.

There is some positive news emerging from North London despite the Eze disappointment. According to reports from Brazil, Tottenham are preparing a substantial £69 million bid for Manchester City winger Savinho.

The club’s leadership has vowed to “spare no effort” in their pursuit of the Brazilian international, even if negotiations continue right up to the transfer deadline.

Savinho’s representatives are currently in London attempting to facilitate a deal between the two clubs.

The player himself is reportedly keen on the move, believing that regular first-team football at Tottenham would enhance his chances of featuring prominently for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.

Although primarily known as a winger, Savinho has occasionally operated in the number ten role under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

His technical quality and creative output could make him a suitable solution for Tottenham’s playmaking needs.

Last season, he registered an impressive 13 assists across all competitions, demonstrating the kind of creative numbers that would help compensate for Maddison’s absence.

Guardiola has spoken highly of the young Brazilian’s attitude and abilities, particularly praising his relentless work rate and determination.

“He has an incredible ability and quality he’s proven in that period,” the City manager noted. “He makes one action fine, second fine, third miss it, four mistake, five mistake, the sixth try again and try again and try again. And until the end he tries.”

The 21-year-old already has valuable experience from his time at Girona, where he played a crucial role in their surprising La Liga title challenge during the 2023-2024 season.

This background suggests he could adapt quickly to the demands of Premier League football and potentially make an immediate impact for Tottenham.

As the transfer window enters its final days, Tottenham face mounting pressure to address their creative shortcomings.

The failed pursuit of Eze serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the transfer market, where deals can unravel at the last moment despite appearing certain to be completed.

The coming days will reveal whether Tottenham can recover from this setback by securing one of their alternative targets.

Their ability to respond effectively to this disappointment could significantly influence their prospects for the season ahead, particularly given the long-term absence of their primary creative force in Maddison.

For now, the focus remains on finding the right player who can fill the void and help Tottenham achieve their objectives across multiple competitions this season.