Tottenham Hotspur are currently engaged in discussions with Manchester City regarding the possible acquisition of two of the capital’s fringe players, the Brazilian forward Savinho and Egyptian attacker Omar Marmoush. According to a report from Sky Sports News on Wednesday, the North London club’s transfer agenda includes not only Savinho but also Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo and an additional centre‑forward, with Marmoush also featuring among the options on their shortlist.
The negotiations between the two English giants appear to be moving forward, although no definitive agreement has been reached at this stage. Sources close to the matter say that Savinho has expressed a clear desire to make the move to Tottenham, indicating that the player is prepared to join the club should the clubs’ terms be settled. Manchester City, on the other hand, are already planning for any departures. The club has a list of target players earmarked to replace any outgoing talent, and they intend to complete those signings before the transfer window shuts, which is now less than two weeks away.
Spurs’ broader strategy also hinges on the outcome of Liverpool’s pending deals. The London side are waiting to see whether Liverpool will secure the services of French winger Bradley Barcola and, potentially, his Paris Saint‑Germain teammate Ibrahim Mbaye. Those signings could free up additional funds and squad space for Tottenham, allowing them to pursue Gakpo in addition to Savinho. The club’s scouting network is reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation, ready to adjust their priorities as new information becomes available.
If the Gakpo move does not materialise, Tottenham have reportedly shifted their attention to other high‑profile targets, with Chelsea’s Portuguese forward Pedro Neto emerging as a possible alternative. There has also been speculation that Gakpo could be deployed as a traditional No 9 under the tactical plans of Roberto De Zerbi, should he join the Spurs. While he would be considered for that central striking role, insiders suggest he is not the club’s primary choice for that position at the moment.
What Tottenham are explicitly looking for is a genuine goal‑scoring centre‑forward who can also act as a conduit for the entire attacking line. The ideal candidate would combine clinical finishing with the ability to link play, drop deep when required, and create space for wide players. In theory, this ambition could see Spurs making as many as nine first‑team signings during the current summer window, despite already having invested heavily in the squad.
To date, Tottenham have already spent in excess of £200 million on six senior players. The most significant outlay was the £185 million spent on two midfielders – Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United and Matheus Fernandes from West Ham United. In addition, Jan Paul van Hecke arrived from Brighton for a reported £52 million, a fee intended to fill the void left by the departure of centre‑back Cristian Romero. Other arrivals, such as Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka, joined the club on free transfers, further bolstering the squad without additional transfer fees.
Sky Sports News correspondent Ben Ransom 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 timing of these talks is crucial. With the deadline looming, clubs are under pressure to finalize deals quickly, often leading to last‑minute negotiations and rapid decision‑making.
Tottenham’s willingness to act swiftly reflects both their ambition to strengthen the squad and their recognition that the window will close before the end of October. Should the club secure Savinho and Marmoush, they would add depth to the attacking options, providing manager Ange Postecoglou with additional tactical flexibility.
In summary, Tottenham are juggling multiple transfer targets while monitoring the movements of rival clubs. Their primary focus remains on securing a proven goal‑scorer who can also facilitate play, and they appear prepared to spend further if necessary. The outcome of the Savinho‑Marmoush negotiations, alongside potential deals for Gakpo, Barcola, Mbaye, and possibly Pedro Neto, will shape the composition of the Spurs attack for the upcoming season. The next few days will be decisive as both Tottenham and Manchester City aim to resolve their respective transfer plans before the window shuts permanently.