Tottenham Hotspur are currently engaged in negotiations with Manchester City regarding the possible acquisition of two young attacking talents, Savinho and Omar Marmoush. According to a report from Sky Sports News on Wednesday, the North London club has a clear wish list that includes signing Savinho, Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and a traditional centre‑forward before the summer transfer window shuts. Marmoush is also listed among the players Spurs are monitoring. Sources close to the deal say that discussions between the two clubs are moving forward, although no formal agreement has been signed yet.
Savinho, who has been linked with a move to the club for several weeks, appears ready to make the switch if the terms are right. Manchester City, on the other hand, are already planning for the eventual departure of any player they let go, intending to bring in replacements within the remaining two weeks of the window. Tottenham’s strategy this summer has been to strengthen multiple areas of the squad.
The club is still waiting for Liverpool to finalize the signing of Bradley Barcola and, possibly, his Paris Saint‑Germain teammate Ibrahim Mbaye. Those arrivals would give Spurs the flexibility to pursue Gakpo in addition to Savinho.
If the Gakpo deal falls through, the North London side is expected to turn their attention to other targets, with reports suggesting a growing interest in Chelsea winger Pedro Neto. There has also been speculation that Gakpo could be deployed as a central striker – a No 9 – under the tactical plans of manager Roberto De Zerbi. While the Dutch forward would certainly be considered for that role if he joins Tottenham, he is not the club’s primary solution for the centre‑forward position at this stage. What Tottenham is really after, according to club insiders, is a genuine goal‑scoring centre‑forward who can also act as a conduit for the rest of the attack.
The ideal candidate would be able to finish chances inside the box while also linking play with the wingers and attacking midfielders, providing a balanced and versatile option up front. If all goes as planned, Spurs could end up completing as many as nine first‑team signings this summer. This would be a remarkable tally, especially given that the club has already spent more than £200 million on new players this season.
So far, the bulk of that spending has gone towards two high‑profile midfielders – Sandro Tonali from Newcastle and Matheus Fernandes from West Ham – costing a combined £185 million. In addition, defender Jan Paul van Hecke arrived from Brighton for a reported £52 million fee to fill the vacancy left by the departure of centre‑back Cristian Romero. Other acquisitions such as Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka arrived on free transfers, adding depth without further inflating the wage bill. Sky Sports News correspondent Ben Ransom summed up the situation with a quote from Manchester City’s sporting director Enzo Maresca: "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 negotiations is crucial. With less than two weeks remaining before the window closes, clubs are under pressure to finalize deals quickly. For Tottenham, securing a forward who can both score and create is a priority, especially as they look to bolster a squad that has already seen significant investment. The club’s ambition to add a prolific striker aligns with their broader aim of competing for top‑four positions and challenging for silverware in the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will need to identify suitable replacements for any departing players. The club’s scouting network is reputed to be extensive, and they are expected to target emerging talents or established stars who can step in without a lengthy adaptation period.
The challenge will be to find quality options that fit within the financial constraints of a market that is rapidly tightening as the deadline approaches. In summary, Tottenham’s pursuit of Savinho and Marmoush reflects a proactive approach to squad building, with the club prepared to act swiftly should the opportunity arise. The negotiations remain fluid, and the final outcome will depend on a combination of player willingness, financial terms, and the ability of both clubs to meet each other’s expectations before the transfer window shuts.