As the new Premier League season kicks off, all eyes are on Manchester City’s squad selection—and one name notably missing is Savinho.
The 21-year-old winger won’t feature in City’s season opener against Wolves on Saturday, sparking fresh speculation over his future at the Etihad.
Guardiola Cites Injury but Talks of Transfer Rumors Linger
Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday that Savinho is sidelined due to an injury, which he said has kept the winger out since his time in Palermo.
“Savinho is injured. Sorry, I didn’t remember. He is injured from Palermo, a few weeks he will be out,” Guardiola explained when asked about the youngster traveling with the team.
While injury is the official reason, whispers of a potential move to Spurs have fueled talk of a summer transfer shake-up.
Guardiola has emphasized the need to trim City’s oversized squad before the window closes, though Savinho isn’t currently listed among the players he intends to sell.
Spurs Eye Savinho and Eze to Boost Creativity
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is reportedly keen to land both Savinho and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
Unlike most transfer battles, it’s not a choice between the two; each would fill a distinct role in Spurs’ squad.
With long-term injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski limiting creative options, Spurs’ struggles were evident in the recent Super Cup, where both goals came from set pieces rather than open play.
Savinho’s agent, Frederico Moraes of ProManager, reportedly left Brazil for Europe on Thursday to advance negotiations, signaling the seriousness of Spurs’ interest.
However, City have turned down earlier inquiries and are thought to be entertaining offers only in excess of £50 million.
City Could Turn Attention to Rodrygo If Savinho Departs
If a deal with Spurs materializes, Manchester City could shift their focus to Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who is Savinho’s international teammate.
Rodrygo has been a persistent thorn for City in Champions League clashes and is reportedly seeking a fresh challenge away from the Bernabeu.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak has promised aggression in the transfer market, and City have already added five new faces around the Club World Cup, highlighting the club’s ambition to bolster the squad further.
Ederson’s Status Also in Question
Meanwhile, Guardiola left Ederson’s availability for the Wolves match unclear.
The Brazilian goalkeeper has been linked with a potential departure following the arrival of James Trafford and ongoing interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Guardiola stressed that any player wanting to leave would come to him directly.
Squad Management Remains a Priority
Manchester City still face the challenge of managing non-homegrown players to comply with European squad limits.
With several transfers potentially pending, the club must navigate roster constraints carefully while preparing for a competitive season on all fronts.
