Tottenham Hotspur are actively engaged in negotiations with Manchester City regarding a possible joint transfer involving the Brazilian forward Savinho and Egyptian attacker Omar Marmoush. According to a report from Sky Sports News on Wednesday, the North London club has identified a short list of targets that includes Savinho, Liverpool's versatile winger Cody Gakpo and a traditional centre‑forward, with Marmoush also featuring prominently among the options they are considering. Sources close to the deal say that discussions between the two clubs are moving forward, although no formal agreement has been reached yet.
Savinho, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League for several months, is reportedly eager to make the switch to Tottenham and is prepared to join the squad as soon as the paperwork is completed. Manchester City, on the other hand, are already planning for the eventual departure of any player they allow to leave. The club’s hierarchy has a clear replacement strategy in place and intends to secure suitable alternatives within the remaining two weeks of the transfer window.
The urgency is heightened by the fact that the deadline looms, and City must fill the gaps left by any outgoing talent without compromising their competitive edge. Spurs’ transfer agenda is also intertwined with developments at Liverpool. The North London side is waiting to see whether Liverpool will finalize the signing of French winger Bradley Barcola and, potentially, his Paris Saint‑Germain teammate Ibrahim Mbaye. Those moves could influence Tottenham’s approach to securing Gakpo in addition to Savinho, as the club seeks to balance its attacking options across the front line.
If the Gakpo deal falls through, Tottenham have already identified alternative targets. Reports suggest that the club is keeping a close eye on Chelsea’s Portuguese winger Pedro Neto, who could provide the pace and creativity needed on the flanks. There has also been speculation that Gakpo might be deployed as a central striker – a No.9 – under the tactical guidance of Roberto De Zerbi. While the Dutch‑born forward could adapt to that role if he joins, he is not currently Tottenham’s primary solution for the centre‑forward vacancy.
Spurs are explicitly looking for a genuine goal‑scoring centre‑forward who can also act as a link‑up player, facilitating the movement of the entire attacking unit. In practical terms, this means that Tottenham could end up registering up to nine first‑team signings this summer. The club has already spent more than £200 million on six senior players, demonstrating a willingness to invest heavily in order to strengthen the squad.
To date, Tottenham have allocated £185 million for the acquisitions of midfielders Sandro Tonali from Newcastle and Matheus Fernandes from West Ham, both of whom arrived with high expectations. In addition, the club paid a £52 million fee for defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, a signing intended to provide cover for the departing centre‑back Cristian Romero. Other arrivals, such as Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, arrived on free transfers, adding depth without further inflating the expenditure.
Ben Ransom of Sky Sports News summed up the situation succinctly: "Both players [Savinho and Marmoush] are essentially surplus to requirements at Manchester City. It's been pretty apparent through the summer. Enzo Maresca has said that in the case of both players, they are very much entitled to stay and fight for their first‑team place.
But equally, he understands, a bit like James Trafford, when a player wants to play first‑team football, and they're not guaranteed the starting shirt, then the club, if they receive an offer that's acceptable, will not stand in their way. That applies to both players. City would need to replace these players. They would definitely, I'd say, have to replace one.
I think they would like to and would aim to replace two. But the transfer window is closing in less than a fortnight.
These are big positions to fill so late in the window." The urgency on both sides underscores the high stakes involved as the summer window draws to a close. Tottenham must finalize its attacking reinforcements to ensure they have sufficient firepower for the upcoming season, while Manchester City aims to plug any holes left by departing talent without compromising their depth.
The outcome of these negotiations will likely shape the tactical options available to both clubs in the months ahead, influencing everything from formation choices to player rotation policies. In summary, Tottenham are poised to make decisive moves in the final days of the transfer period, targeting a blend of proven goal‑scorers and versatile attackers.
Whether they secure Savinho, Marmoush, Gakpo, or look elsewhere such as Pedro Neto will depend on how quickly Liverpool completes its own business and how City responds to the offers on the table. The next two weeks promise to be a flurry of activity, with both clubs striving to position themselves optimally for the challenges of the Premier League season that lies ahead.