Tottenham Hotspur are actively engaged in discussions with Manchester City regarding a possible two‑player acquisition involving the Brazilian forward Savinho and Egyptian winger Omar Marmoush. According to a report from Sky Sports News on Wednesday, the North London club has identified Savinho as a priority signing, alongside a high‑profile target in Liverpool's attacking midfielder Cody Gakpo and an additional centre‑forward to be secured before the transfer window shuts. The negotiations between the two English giants appear to be moving forward, yet no definitive agreement has been reached at this stage. Sources close to the deal indicate that Savinho is prepared to make the move to Tottenham, signalling his willingness to leave City in search of regular first‑team football.
Manchester City, meanwhile, have already begun to outline a replacement strategy for any departing players, aiming to plug any gaps within the remaining two weeks of the summer window. Spurs' transfer agenda is not limited to Savinho.
The club is also awaiting the outcome of Liverpool's pursuit of French winger Bradley Barcola and his Paris Saint‑Germain teammate Ibrahim Mbaye. Should those moves materialise, Tottenham would be in a stronger position to launch a bid for Gakpo in addition to Savinho. The club’s scouting network has identified a number of alternatives, and if Gakpo proves unattainable, the focus may shift toward Chelsea’s Portuguese forward Pedro Neto, who has been linked with a possible move to North London. There has been ongoing speculation that Gakpo could be deployed as a central striker – a traditional No 9 – under the tactical direction of Roberto De Zerbi.
While the Dutch manager would certainly consider using Gakpo in that role should the transfer go through, he is not currently the primary target for the centre‑forward position. Tottenham’s stated objective is to secure a genuine goal‑scoring striker who can also act as a conduit for the rest of the attacking line, linking the midfield with the forwards and providing a focal point for the team’s offensive play. If all goes according to plan, Spurs could end up registering as many as nine new first‑team players during this summer’s activity. This would be a remarkable figure given that the club has already committed more than £200 million to new signings.
To date, Tottenham have spent £185 million on two midfielders – Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United and Matheus Fernandes from West Ham United – and have also paid £52 million for defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion to replace the departing centre‑back Cristian Romero. Additionally, free‑transfer acquisitions such as Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka have bolstered the squad without further cash outlay.
Ben Ransom of Sky Sports News provided insight into Manchester City’s perspective on the two players in question. He quoted City’s sporting director Enzo Maresca, who acknowledged that both Savinho and Marmoush have become surplus to the club’s requirements over the course of the summer. Maresca reportedly said that while the players are entitled to fight for a place in the first team, the club recognises the importance of allowing them to move on if a suitable offer arrives.
Ransom likened the situation to that of goalkeeper James Trafford, noting that when a player’s path to regular minutes is blocked, City will not stand in the way of a transfer that benefits all parties. Maresca further explained that City would need to replace at least one of the departing players, and ideally both, given the strategic importance of depth in the squad. However, the timing presents a challenge: the transfer window is set to close in less than a fortnight, and finding quality replacements for such pivotal roles at this stage of the market is a complex task. Beyond the immediate transfer chatter, Tottenham have been promoting various fan‑engagement initiatives, including a "Transfer Centre LIVE" feature accessible via mobile devices, as well as headline news streams and Premier League coverage without contractual obligations.
The club also encourages supporters to participate in promotional activities such as the "Super 6" competition, which offers a chance to win a £1 million prize. In summary, the summer transfer window remains a period of intense activity for both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Spurs are keen to add Savinho and possibly Marmoush to their attacking arsenal, while also keeping their options open for other high‑profile targets like Gakpo, Barcola, Mbaye, and Neto. Manchester City, on the other hand, must balance the desire to retain a competitive squad with the practical need to replace any players who depart, all within a rapidly shrinking timeframe.
The outcome of these negotiations will shape the composition of both clubs for the upcoming Premier League season, influencing tactical setups, squad depth, and ultimately, their chances of success on the domestic and European stages.