A Significant Departure
Manchester City have agreed to sell Savinho to Tottenham in a deal that could reach £85 million. The structure is straightforward: £75 million up front, with a further £10 million in potential add-ons, £5 million of which is considered easily achievable.
The Brazilian winger is now set to travel to north London to undergo a medical and complete the transfer. He will not be involved in City's opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, and he is also unlikely to be registered in time for Tottenham's first league game away at Brentford.
More to Follow?
Talks are also progressing between City and Tottenham over Omar Marmoush, who is believed to have given the green light to follow Savinho to north London. It suggests Spurs are serious about rebuilding their attack, and City are equally serious about reshaping theirs.
This is a window of considerable change at the Etihad. Enzo Maresca has replaced Pep Guardiola as manager, and the club have already recruited Elliot Anderson, Jeremy Monga and Geronimo Rulli. At the same time, senior figures such as Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Nathan Ake and John Stones have been allowed to leave.
It is a significant overhaul, and one that raises questions about the direction of the squad.
Questions for Maresca
Maresca is expected to face questions over the manner in which City have approached the transfer window when he faces the press on Friday. The club won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup double under Guardiola last term, so there is a standard to maintain.
Whether this level of turnover is a necessary evolution or a gamble remains to be seen. For now, the focus is on Savinho's departure and what it means for the squad.