Tottenham sign winger Savinho from Manchester City in £85 million transfer deal

Record fee and financial terms

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of 22-year-old winger Savinho from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £85 million. The transaction structure includes an initial payment of £75 million alongside £10 million in potential add-ons (£5 million guaranteed and £5 million conditional). The sale represents the largest transfer departure in Manchester City's history, eclipsing the £82 million sale of Julián Álvarez to Atlético Madrid two years earlier. The acquisition pushes Tottenham's gross summer transfer expenditure beyond £300 million, reaching £322 million when accounting for all performance-related clauses. The Brazilian attacker confirmed that he will officially use the name Sávio moving forward.

Career trajectory and Manchester City record

Sávio began his professional career with Atlético Mineiro in Brazil, making his senior debut in August 2020 at the age of 16 and recording 35 appearances. He moved to French club Troyes in 2022, spending a loan season at PSV Eindhoven before a breakthrough loan spell at Girona in the 2023–2024 campaign. In Spain, he scored 11 goals in 41 appearances and completed 104 dribbles, helping Girona achieve a third-place finish in La Liga and qualify for the Champions League. Manchester City signed him in July 2024 for £30.8 million. Over two seasons in Manchester, Sávio played 84 matches across all competitions, scoring seven goals, providing 16 assists, and winning both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. At international level, he has earned 13 caps for Brazil since making his debut against England at Wembley in March 2024.

Tactical rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi

Tottenham recruited Sávio to reinforce a frontline depleted by injuries to Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert, as well as the January departure of Brennan Johnson. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi took charge in March and steered Tottenham away from relegation to a 17th-place finish last season, though the new campaign opened with a 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday. De Zerbi pointed to the winger's 1-on-1 ability and creative directness as essential additions to the squad.

Savio is a player who brings energy, imagination and quality in wide positions. He has the courage to attack defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity.

Sávio stated that direct discussions with De Zerbi determined his decision to move to north London.

It's taken a while but I'm very happy to be here. It's a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world. As soon as I spoke to the head coach I knew I had to come. He told me he wants to help me reach the highest level and I believe we can do that together, as a team.

Wider squad restructuring across both clubs

The winger is Tottenham's third major addition of the transfer window, following midfielder Sandro Tonali for £100 million and Mateus Fernandes for £85 million, alongside defender Jan Paul van Hecke and free transfers Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka. Tottenham remain in active negotiations with Manchester City to complete a separate move for Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush. For Manchester City, the sale brings summer player receipts above £230 million under new manager Enzo Maresca. City have agreed a €37.5 million fee with Palmeiras for Brazilian winger Allan and are pursuing an £85 million deal for midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Sávio could make his Tottenham debut on Wednesday in the League Cup second round against Charlton Athletic before Tottenham host Newcastle United on Saturday.