Manchester City have made their stance crystal clear: Savinho is not for sale.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, City informed Tottenham on Wednesday that their position on the Brazilian winger will not change. Spurs were exploring a mega move worth over €70m, but City consider the 20-year-old untouchable both for this season and the long term.
The decision not only ends Tottenham’s hopes of landing Savinho before the deadline, but also indirectly blocks any possibility of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo joining Pep Guardiola’s side.
Why Savinho is Key for City
Savinho joined City Football Group from Atlético Mineiro before developing on loan at Girona, where his breakout season in La Liga convinced Guardiola he was ready for the Premier League.
Blessed with pace, direct dribbling and a goal threat cutting in from the right, he has quickly become part of Guardiola’s plans. With Riyad Mahrez long departed and Phil Foden often used centrally, Savinho’s profile fills a crucial gap in City’s attack.
Guardiola and the club hierarchy see him as a cornerstone of the next generation alongside Erling Haaland..
Tottenham’s Setback
For Spurs, the rejection is a major blow. Thomas Frank had identified Savinho as a statement signing for his new project, but City’s stance means they must now pivot to alternative targets with less than a week left in the window.
Tottenham’s hierarchy are still active in the market, but few wide forwards of Savinho’s profile are realistically available at this late stage.
“Manchester City have no intention to let Savinho go — not even for a fee over €70m. He’s seen as a key player for the season and for the future.” — Fabrizio Romano
Savinho 2024/25 Stats (Girona, La Liga)
| Stat (2024/25) | Savinho |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 48 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 13 |
| Key Passes per game | 1.6 |
| Successful Dribbles per game | 2.1 |
source: sofascore match data – 27 August 2025
The stats highlight why City are so protective of the winger: consistent end product combined with creativity and dribbling ability.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William says City’s position is unsurprising:
“Savinho is part of City’s future core. They’ve invested time and development in him, and Guardiola sees him as irreplaceable. Tottenham’s timing was ambitious — but this was never likely. As for Rodrygo, Madrid won’t lose a winger if City don’t create space. So one domino falls, and another can’t even move.”
Key Insights
- City reject Tottenham approach for Savinho.
- Refuse to sell even for bids above €70m.
- Savinho seen as vital to Guardiola’s long-term plans.
- Spurs must now find alternatives late in window.
- Decision blocks any chance of Rodrygo moving to City.
What’s Next
Savinho will remain at the Etihad, with Guardiola set to give him significant minutes across all competitions this season. Tottenham’s recruitment team are scrambling for other wide targets before deadline day.
For City, shutting down speculation early ensures focus remains on their title defence, while for Spurs it is a frustrating reminder of the gap between them and the Premier League’s elite in the transfer market.
Was Tottenham right to test City’s resolve on Savinho — or was this always a lost cause?
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