Savinho saga takes a continental twist
The Brazilian forward's request to leave Manchester City this summer was already shaping up to be one of the more straightforward transfer stories of the window. Tottenham had been the constant presence, the name that kept surfacing whenever the 22-year-old's future was discussed. Now, with Juventus entering the picture, the picture is no longer quite so simple.
According to Italian newspaper TuttoMercatoWeb, the Bianconeri are monitoring the winger market. Their interest in Savinho appears conditional, tied to the possibility of one of their existing wide players departing before the window closes. They see the City man as an attractive proposition, with his speed, dribbling, creativity, and ability to create numerical superiority all noted. But it is not yet a concrete pursuit.
Tottenham, by contrast, have been tracking Savinho since last summer. That interest has persisted under Roberto De Zerbi, and the north London club currently appear to be making the most decisive move. They believe this is the right opportunity to bring him to the capital.
Valuation and timing
City are holding out for a fee in the region of £60 million plus add-ons. That figure will not frighten Tottenham, but the competition from Serie A adds a new dimension. The player's own expected wish to stay in England should favour the Premier League side.
Much may depend on how quickly City move to identify a replacement. They have been credited with interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye and Chelsea's Pedro Neto. Should a suitable incoming winger be lined up, the club's resistance to softening on Savinho's valuation could ease.
For now, all signs continue to point toward Tottenham as the most likely destination. But with Juventus hovering, the next few weeks could get interesting.