Would you pay £75m for a player who made just seven Premier League starts last season? Tottenham did exactly that. Tottenham paid £75m for Savinho, and on paper, the numbers don’t add up. Yet Spurs are betting big, and there’s a clear reason behind it.
This deal is one of the most talked-about moves of the summer transfer window. It signals real intent from Tottenham. It also confirms a shift in their transfer strategy, and it raises fresh questions about Manchester City’s squad depth under Pep Guardiola. Here’s everything you need to know about why Tottenham paid £75m for Savinho, what the fee covers, and what it means for both clubs.
Savinho Transfer Fee: The Full Breakdown
Tottenham agreed a deal with Manchester City to sign winger Savinho for £75m, with a further £10m available in potential add-ons. The 22-year-old Brazilian will undergo a medical before he signs a long-term contract at Spurs.
This move took over a year to complete. Tottenham tried and failed to sign Savinho last summer. Back then, he chose to stay at the Etihad Stadium instead of making the switch to north London.
His season didn’t go to plan, though. Guardiola limited Savinho’s game time, and he started just seven Premier League matches all campaign. That drop in playing time opened the door for Tottenham to finally land their man.
Why Tottenham Moved for Savinho Now
Tottenham head coach Roberto de Zerbi has stayed busy in the transfer market this summer. He brought in midfielders Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, spending a combined £185m on the pair. Now he’s turned his focus to the attack, and Savinho fits that plan well.
De Zerbi’s teams like to draw opponents forward before exploiting the space behind them. This tactic creates one-on-one situations for wide players, and that’s exactly where Savinho thrives.
Savinho Stats Explained: His Career Before Spurs
To understand why Spurs are paying such a large fee, you need to look back at where Savinho built his reputation.
He joined Manchester City in 2024 from sister club Troyes for £30.8m. Before that move, he spent a season on loan at Girona during the 2023-24 campaign. That loan spell turned him into one of La Liga’s most feared ball carriers.
Savinho featured in 37 league matches for Girona as the club secured Champions League qualification for the first time in its history. That season, he scored nine goals and provided eight assists across several attacking roles.
The Girona Numbers Behind the £75m Savinho Deal
His statistical output at Girona was exceptional. Savinho led La Liga that season in several key categories:
- Successful take-ons: 104
- Progressive carries: 181
- Goal-creating actions: 25
- Expected assists: 9.9
He also ranked second in the entire league for passes into the penalty area and for progressive carrying distance. These numbers explain why so many clubs, including Tottenham, noticed him early.
Most of his best performances came from the left side, where Girona used him in 27 matches. In that role, he scored five goals and set up six more. However, he also played centrally and on the right at times, which shows genuine versatility.
Savinho’s Man City Stats vs His Girona Form
Here’s where things get interesting. Since joining City, Savinho has made 84 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing 13 assists. In the Premier League specifically, he has scored only twice across two seasons.
At first glance, that record doesn’t scream £75m talent. However, those numbers only tell part of the story.
Competition for attacking places at City has been intense. Players like Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki often suited the central roles more, and that competition limited Savinho’s chances to show off the ball-carrying skills he displayed so clearly at Girona.
In other words, City’s system and squad depth masked his best attributes rather than diminishing them.
How Savinho’s Skillset Fits De Zerbi’s Tactics
Savinho’s acceleration and his willingness to take on defenders make him a natural fit for De Zerbi’s attacking style at Tottenham.
From the left flank, he can hold width and attack the outside of full-backs. From the right, he comfortably cuts inside onto his stronger left foot, which lets him combine with team-mates and create chances centrally.
His value goes beyond goals and assists too. At Girona, much of his threat came from carrying the ball over long distances and disrupting opponents’ defensive shape. This kind of movement could give Tottenham a more direct route through compact defenses, and it would open up space for their central forwards to exploit.
Ultimately, Tottenham are investing in the raw qualities Savinho showed at Girona: pace, ball-carrying ability, one-on-one skill, and chance creation from wide areas. At just 22, he still has plenty of room to grow into these attributes on a bigger stage.
What the Savinho Deal Means for Tottenham’s Summer Spending
The Savinho deal is far from the end of Tottenham’s transfer business this summer. Sources have told BBC Sport that talks for Savinho’s City team-mate, Omar Marmoush, are progressing well.
Marmoush, an Egypt international, joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2025 for £59m but fell down the pecking order last season. Tottenham clearly see a chance to add proven quality at reduced risk, given his recent lack of game time.
Spurs also remain interested in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. However, it’s unclear whether they can finance a deal for the Dutch attacker on top of moves for both Savinho and Marmoush.
Tottenham’s Total Summer Transfer Spend
Once Savinho’s transfer goes through, Tottenham’s spending this summer will surpass £300m. That’s a huge financial commitment for any club, even one with Champions League ambitions.
Fortunately, Spurs have offset some of that outlay through player sales. They’ve recouped roughly £140m from selling Cristian Romero, Djed Spence, and Luka Vuskovic. Therefore, while the gross spending figure looks eye-watering, the net investment looks more manageable.
What Happens Next for Tottenham and Man City
Timing matters here too. Tottenham kick off their Premier League campaign away at Brentford on Saturday at 17:30 BST. Meanwhile, Manchester City host Bournemouth on Sunday at 14:00 BST.
Savinho likely won’t feature in that opening fixture since his medical is still pending. However, Spurs fans will want to see him in action as soon as he’s eligible to play.
For City, losing Savinho continues a pattern of squad restructuring under Guardiola. The club must now manage a crowded attacking department full of younger, more centrally focused talent.
Final Thoughts:
The story of why Tottenham paid £75m for Savinho comes down to looking past surface-level stats. His Premier League output at City looked modest. However, his performances at Girona reveal exactly why Tottenham were ready to spend £75m, plus add-ons, to bring him to north London.
De Zerbi wants pace, directness, and creativity in his squad, and Savinho ticks every box. Combined with ongoing interest in Marmoush and Gakpo, this summer could mark a genuine turning point for Tottenham.
As a result, all eyes will watch how quickly Savinho adapts to life in the Premier League. Time will tell whether this signing becomes the bargain his Girona form suggests it could be.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much did Tottenham pay for Savinho?
Tottenham agreed a £75m deal for Savinho, with a further £10m available through potential add-ons.
2. Why did Manchester City sell Savinho?
Savinho’s game time was limited at City last season. Competition from players like Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki restricted him to just seven Premier League starts.
3. What position does Savinho play?
Savinho plays as a versatile winger. He has featured on both the left and right flanks, plus more central attacking roles.
4. Is Tottenham signing any other Manchester City players this summer?
Yes. Talks are reportedly progressing for Omar Marmoush, another Manchester City forward who fell down the pecking order last season.
5. How much has Tottenham spent this summer transfer window?
Once the Savinho deal closes, Tottenham’s summer spending will exceed £300m, although the club has recouped around £140m through player sales.
