David Ornstein reveals the word coming from Man City about Savinho’s future amid Tottenham interest
The future of Manchester City winger Savinho has taken a dramatic turn as his agent jets to London for decisive negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur.
This sudden development suggests serious momentum behind a potential £60 million transfer that could redefine Thomas Frank’s attacking options ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Manchester City remain reluctant sellers, with Pep Guardiola viewing the Brazilian as integral to his squad depth.
However, sources close to the negotiations reveal the treble-winners would consider sanctioning the move if the 21-year-old formally requests departure. “The ball is in Savinho’s court now,” revealed an Etihad insider. “City won’t block an exit if he pushes for it, but they’ll demand every penny of their valuation.”
This transfer saga unfolds against the backdrop of Tottenham’s season opener against Burnley – a match carrying enormous significance after last season’s disastrous 17th-place finish.
Frank’s revolution begins in earnest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where three points against the newly-promoted Clarets could set the tone for their redemption arc.
The 3pm Saturday kickoff falls victim to English football’s traditional broadcast blackout, leaving domestic fans reliant on:
- BBC Match of the Day highlights (22:30 BST)
- Official club matchday coverage via Spurs TV
- Real-time updates through Tottenham’s social media channels
International viewers can access live coverage through their local Premier League rights holders, with NBC Sports (USA), SuperSport (Africa), and Star Sports (India) all carrying the fixture.
Injury Crisis Tests Squad Depth
Frank’s selection headaches compound the pre-match tension:
Tottenham Absentees
- Bryan Gil (knee)
- Dejan Kulusevski (knee – expected return Spring 2026)
- James Maddison (ACL – indefinite)
- Radu Dragusin (ACL – mid-October return)
Burnley Concerns
- Zeki Amdouni (ACL – January 2026)
- Bashir Humphreys (muscle – mid-September)
- Connor Roberts (knock – late fitness test)
These absences heighten the importance of potential new arrivals like Savinho, whose direct running and creativity could immediately elevate Tottenham’s attacking play.
The Brazilian’s 13 assists last season – albeit with just three goals – demonstrate the precisely profile Frank craves to complement Son Heung-min’s departure.
Tactical Preview: Why Burnley Fear a Rout
Historical trends favor the hosts emphatically:
- Three consecutive Premier League victories over Burnley
- 9-1 aggregate scoreline across those meetings
- Clarets’ porous preseason defense (conceded 2+ goals in 4/5 friendlies)
Frank’s side showed promising signs in their UEFA Super Cup display against PSG, implementing a cohesive pressing system that disrupted even Europe’s elite. Should they replicate that intensity against Championship-standard opposition, a comprehensive victory appears inevitable.
The anticipated debut of Malick Thiaw at center-back offers additional defensive stability, while Rodrigo Bentancur’s return to full fitness provides midfield control sorely lacking last term. All indicators point toward Tottenham dominating possession and creating frequent chances against Vincent Kompany’s newly-promoted side.
Savinho Factor Looms Large
As the teams prepare for battle, transfer developments could overshadow on-pitch matters. Savinho’s potential arrival would signal Tottenham’s renewed ambition after last season’s humiliation.
His agent’s London trip suggests genuine willingness to force the move, though City’s £67 million valuation remains a significant obstacle.
Should negotiations progress during matchday, expect the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd to voice their approval – both for goals against Burnley and the prospect of securing one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers.
In many ways, this fixture represents more than three points; it’s the first true measure of whether Tottenham’s painful rebuild is finally bearing fruit.