Savinho misses Man City training as Tottenham push for £60m deal

Savinho missed Manchester City training on Thursday as Tottenham Hotspur continue to push for a deal to sign the Brazilian winger.

The 22-year-old was absent because of illness rather than his transfer situation, according to The Athletic, but the timing comes as Spurs attempt to make significant progress in negotiations for one of Roberto De Zerbi's leading attacking targets.

Reports suggest Tottenham are moving closer to an agreement for a deal worth around £60 million, although there is still work to do before Savinho can leave the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City are preparing for Sunday's Community Shield against Arsenal at the Principality Stadium, but Savinho was not involved in Thursday's first-team session.

The Athletic reports that illness was the reason for his absence, with no suggestion that City deliberately removed him from training because of the Tottenham talks.

Jack Grealish was involved as he works towards his first City appearance in more than a year following his injury problems, while Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and January signing Marc Guehi also trained.

Savinho's availability for the Community Shield is now unclear.

His absence nevertheless comes at a significant moment in his future, with Tottenham intensifying their efforts to bring him to north London.

Spurs have identified Savinho as a major target for the final stage of their summer rebuild and are reportedly nearing an agreement valued at around £60m.

De Zerbi's squad has already undergone major changes.

Tottenham strengthened their defence with Martin Dubravka, Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke before spending heavily in midfield on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Attention has now switched to attack, where Savinho's pace and ability in wide areas would give De Zerbi another option in the final third.

Manchester City still have an important say in whether the deal happens. Selling a 22-year-old attacker to another Premier League club would be a major decision, particularly if City do not have a replacement ready.

Spurs are also working on several departures as they continue reshaping the squad.

Cristian Romero is closing in on a move to Atletico Madrid, while Djed Spence is expected to join Inter Milan.

Those exits would reduce the size of De Zerbi's squad and could give Tottenham further flexibility to complete another expensive addition before the deadline.

Savinho appears to be the priority, but Spurs have alternatives if negotiations with Manchester City fail.

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is also admired, although that deal is considered more complicated because Liverpool are reluctant to sanction his departure without strengthening their own attack first.

That makes Savinho the more immediate situation to watch as Tottenham try to finish their attacking recruitment.

Savinho's immediate fitness will determine whether he can feature against Arsenal in the Community Shield, while negotiations between Manchester City and Tottenham remain the bigger issue surrounding his future.

Spurs will hope to turn their progress into a full agreement before the transfer deadline. If City refuse to sanction the move or negotiations become too difficult, Tottenham could switch their attention towards another attacking target, with Gakpo among the alternatives being considered.