‘I’m hearing’: Fabrizio Romano shares why Man City are now blocking Savinho’s move to Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur’s ambitious move for Manchester City winger Savinho has encountered unexpected resistance from within the Premier League champions’ hierarchy, creating a transfer standoff that threatens to derail Thomas Frank’s plans for the Brazilian prodigy.
Despite the player’s reported interest in joining Spurs and City’s manager Pep Guardiola historically accommodating unsettled players, an influential figure within the club’s leadership has blocked the proposed £60.4 million transfer.
The situation has developed into one of the summer’s most intriguing transfer sagas, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that while Savinho remains open to a move to North London, he has refrained from demanding an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
This delicate positioning reflects the 21-year-old’s respect for his current club while acknowledging the appeal of regular first-team football under Frank, who envisions the winger as a cornerstone of his Tottenham project.
Savinho Transfer Status Breakdown
| Aspect | Current Situation |
|---|---|
| Tottenham’s Interest | Formal £60.4m bid submitted |
| Player’s Stance | Open to move but not forcing exit |
| Manchester City’s Position | Internal division over his future |
| Primary Concern | Repeating Cole Palmer scenario |
| Guardiola’s View | Considers him “incredible” talent |
| Squad Status | Only natural right-winger at club |
The shadow of Cole Palmer’s spectacular success at Chelsea following his £42.5 million departure from City looms large over these negotiations.
Palmer’s transformation into one of the Premier League’s most productive attackers netting 22 goals and providing 13 assists last season—has created institutional caution about allowing another promising young attacker to join a direct rival.
This apprehension appears to be the primary motivation behind the unnamed City official’s determination to retain Savinho, despite the player’s interest in the move.
Guardiola’s admiration for the Brazilian adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The City manager previously described Savinho as an “incredible” talent, and his technical profile perfectly aligns with the Catalan’s preference for agile, creative wingers capable of operating in tight spaces.
As the only natural right-winger in City’s squad, his potential development could see him become an important contributor this season, particularly with the club competing across multiple fronts.
From Tottenham’s perspective, Savinho represents exactly the profile of dynamic, forward-thinking attacker that could thrive in Frank’s system.
His ability to beat defenders one-on-one, create chances from wide areas, and contribute defensively would address several needs in Spurs’ current setup.
The proposed fee, while substantial, reflects the premium for acquiring young, Premier League-proven talent with significant resale potential.
Savinho’s Potential Impact vs. Cole Palmer Precedent
| Metric | Savinho (23/24) | Cole Palmer (Pre-Chelsea) |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League Appearances | 24 | 19 |
| Goal Contributions | 7 | 6 |
| Successful Dribbles/90 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
| Chance Creation/90 | 1.7 | 1.9 |
| Minutes Played | 1,283 | 851 |
The comparison reveals similar productivity levels between Savinho’s debut City season and Palmer’s final campaign before his Chelsea move, underscoring why the club fears repeating what they now perceive as a strategic error.
However, this caution must be balanced against the reality of limited playing opportunities for young players at a club with City’s depth and expectations.
For Savinho himself, the dilemma is equally complex. Regular first-team football at Tottenham could accelerate his development and potentially secure his place in the Brazilian national team setup ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
Conversely, remaining at City offers the chance to learn under Guardiola and compete for major honors, though likely with fewer guaranteed minutes.
As the transfer window enters its final weeks, the situation remains fluid. Tottenham may test City’s resolve with an improved offer, while the player’s representatives will likely seek clarity about his role in Guardiola’s plans this season.
The coming days will reveal whether the unnamed City official’s determination to retain Savinho will prevail, or if the allure of regular football and a starring role in Frank’s project will ultimately convince the club to sanction his departure.
What remains clear is that this transfer saga exemplifies the increasing value of promising young attackers in the modern market, and the difficult balancing top clubs face between retaining talent and providing development opportunities.
For Tottenham, the pursuit continues, but they now face the challenge of either convincing City to reconsider or identifying alternative targets capable of providing the creativity and dynamism they seek.