City set the bar high for Savinho as Spurs circle
If Tottenham thought they were getting a bargain, the numbers say otherwise. City have made their position clear: Savinho goes nowhere unless someone meets a €100m (£86m) valuation.
The figure, reported by FootballTransfers on Wednesday, is hardly a surprise. The 22-year-old Brazilian winger has been the subject of Spurs' interest for weeks, and City have never been inclined to sell on the cheap.
The Times had it at around £85m in total, a jump from the £60m-plus package first mooted back in July. That earlier deal, with add-ons attached, came after Savinho indicated he wanted to leave the Etihad. Circumstances may change, but the price has only gone up.
Should Spurs actually stump up the cash, City already have a replacement in mind. Pedro Neto has emerged as a candidate, though Chelsea's valuation of the Portugal international is said to be close to £100m. So much for a bargain replacement.
City have never been inclined to sell on the cheap.
For now, the ball sits firmly in Tottenham's court. They wanted the player, they know the fee, and they know City will not be talked down. Whether they pay it is another matter entirely.