Joe Cole says Daniel Levy will pull out of major transfer after Tottenham destroy Man City, ‘I don’t think…’

The impressive victory by Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester City has sparked an interesting conversation about the club’s transfer strategy as the window approaches its final days.

Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole believes the convincing nature of their performance might cause chairman Daniel Levy to reconsider pursuing expensive targets like Manchester City’s Savinho.

Tottenham’s 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium represented more than just three points—it served as a statement about the squad’s current capabilities and depth.

Goals from Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha, combined with strong performances from Mohammed Kudus and Pape Sarr, demonstrated that manager Thomas Frank has developed a cohesive attacking unit capable of competing with the league’s best teams.

This display of quality comes at a crucial time in the transfer window. Tottenham had identified Savinho as a primary target after missing out on Eberechi Eze, who surprisingly chose Arsenal despite advanced negotiations with Spurs.

The Brazilian winger’s potential availability had generated excitement among supporters, but City’s reluctance to sell and Pep Guardiola’s recent comments about the player’s injury situation always made the deal challenging.

Cole’s analysis suggests that Levy might view this victory as validation of the squad’s existing strength.

The chairman, known for his careful financial management, could decide that expensive additions are unnecessary when the current players are performing at such a high level.

This perspective gains credibility when considering Tottenham’s solid start to the season—five goals scored and none conceded in their opening two matches.

The transformation under Frank has been notable. The manager has integrated new signings like Kudus while getting improved performances from existing squad members.

The permanent acquisitions of Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso, initially loan players, have added depth and quality without the need for major additional investment.

This organic growth of the squad might convince the leadership that continued development rather than radical changes represents the best path forward.

Financial considerations also play a significant role in this calculation. With Financial Fair Play regulations requiring careful management of resources, Levy must balance ambition with sustainability.

Investing heavily in another attacker might not represent the best use of funds when other areas could benefit from reinforcement or when the current attacking options are proving effective.

This is not to say Tottenham will completely abstain from further business. Cole suggested the club might still pursue younger players with potential rather than established stars.

This approach would align with their strategy of building for the future while maintaining financial flexibility. The development of their own academy products alongside strategic signings of promising talents has served the club well in recent years.

The situation also reflects the complex nature of transfer negotiations. Other clubs become aware of Tottenham’s interest and may increase their asking prices accordingly.

By demonstrating that they can succeed without panic buying, Tottenham strengthen their negotiating position for any future deals they choose to pursue.

For Savinho specifically, the circumstances appear increasingly complicated. City’s reluctance to strengthen a direct rival, combined with the player’s current injury situation, made the deal challenging from the beginning.

Tottenham’s strong start to the season provides them with the confidence to walk away from negotiations that don’t represent good value.

The coming days will reveal whether Cole’s assessment proves accurate. While Tottenham may indeed scale back their interest in major signings, the nature of the transfer market means opportunities can emerge unexpectedly.

The club’s leadership will need to balance satisfaction with their current options against the potential to further strengthen the squad when opportunities arise.

What seems clear is that Tottenham approach the final days of the window from a position of strength rather than desperation.

Their performances have provided validation of their project under Frank and given them options regarding how to proceed with their transfer business.

This represents a welcome change from previous seasons where late window activity often stemmed from necessity rather than strategic choice.