Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly engaged in negotiations with Manchester City about a possible joint acquisition involving Brazilian forward Savinho and Egyptian attacker Omar Marmoush. According to a Sky Sports News report published on Wednesday, the North London club has identified Savinho as a priority target alongside Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo and a traditional centre‑forward, with Marmoush also featuring on their shortlist.
Sources close to the deal say that discussions between the two Premier League giants are moving forward, but no formal agreement has been reached yet. Savinho, who has been linked with a move to the White Hart Lane side for several weeks, is reportedly prepared to make the switch should the clubs come to terms.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are already planning for the eventual departure of any player they allow to leave. The club’s recruitment strategy is focused on finding replacements within the remaining two weeks of the transfer window, meaning they will be looking to bring in suitable alternatives before the deadline.
Spurs are also waiting on the outcome of Liverpool’s pursuit of French winger Bradley Barcola and his Paris Saint‑Germain teammate Ibrahim Mbaye. The completion of those deals could free up additional budget for Tottenham to add Gakpo and Savinho to their ranks. If the Gakpo move falls through, Tottenham have reportedly turned their attention to other options, including a possible bid for Chelsea’s young Portuguese talent Pedro Neto.
There has also been speculation that Gakpo could be deployed as a lone striker – a No 9 – under the tactical plans of head coach Roberto De Zerbi. While the Dutch forward would be considered for that role, he is not the primary target for the position. Tottenham’s stated objective is to secure a genuine goal‑scoring centre‑forward who can also act as a conduit for the rest of the attacking line.
In practical terms, this ambition could see the club add up to nine first‑team players during this summer’s market, despite already having spent more than £200 million on new signings. To date, Spurs have invested heavily in the transfer market, splashing out roughly £185 million on two midfielders – Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United and Matheus Fernandes from West Ham United. In addition, they paid £52 million for defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion, a fee intended to replace the departing centre‑back Cristian Romero.
Other arrivals such as Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka arrived on free transfers, rounding out a busy summer for the club. Speaking to Sky Sports News, reporter Ben Ransom quoted former Manchester City midfielder Enzo Maresca, who explained the club’s stance on the two players. “Both Savinho and Marmoush are essentially surplus to requirements at Manchester City,” Maresca said.
“It’s been pretty apparent throughout the summer. They are entitled to stay and fight for a first‑team place, but when a player wants regular football and the club cannot guarantee it, the sensible thing is to allow a move if the offer is acceptable.” Maresca continued, “City would need to replace these players.
They will definitely have to replace at least one, and probably both, given the importance of the positions involved. However, the window is closing in less than a fortnight, and finding quality replacements at this stage is a significant challenge.” The potential double signing would give Tottenham a boost in depth across the attacking third.
Savinho, known for his pace and dribbling ability, could provide a fresh option on the wing, while Marmoush’s versatility – capable of playing across the front line – would add tactical flexibility. Both players have struggled for regular minutes at City, where competition for places is fierce, and a move to a club where they can expect more game time could reignite their careers. From a financial perspective, the deals could be structured as relatively modest fees compared with the sums Tottenham have already expended.
Manchester City’s willingness to let the players leave for a reasonable price reflects their broader strategy of trimming the squad and recouping funds for other targets. In the broader context of the Premier League transfer market, Tottenham’s activity illustrates the club’s ambition to rebuild after a season that fell short of expectations.
By targeting multiple forwards, the club aims to create a more dynamic and interchangeable attacking unit, capable of adapting to De Zerbi’s tactical variations. If the negotiations succeed, the arrival of Savinho and Marmoush could be announced in the final days of the window, joining the list of signings that already include Tonali, Fernandes, van Hecke and the free‑transfer acquisitions. Should the deals collapse, Tottenham will likely continue to explore alternatives, keeping an eye on players such as Pedro Neto, while also monitoring the situation at Liverpool for any cascading effects that could free up further resources. Overall, the situation remains fluid, with both clubs balancing sporting needs and financial considerations as the transfer deadline approaches.
Fans will be watching closely to see whether Spurs can secure the double deal and how Manchester City will respond to the impending departures of two squad members who have been on the periphery of the first team.