Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced the arrival of Brazilian winger Savio, who arrives from Manchester City in a deal reported to be worth around £85 million. The transfer is structured with an upfront payment of roughly £75 million, while an additional £10 million in performance‑related add‑ons could be triggered later.
According to sources, about £5 million of those add‑ons are effectively guaranteed, meaning City is set to receive at least £80 million for the 22‑year‑old. The player, who was widely known as "Savinho" during his spell at City, has chosen to revert to his birth name, Savio, now that he has signed for Spurs. The nickname originated when his first call‑up to the Brazilian national side saw the moniker printed on the back of his jersey, and he kept it through his move from Girona to Manchester City in 2024.
With the Tottenham switch, he will be allocated the number 17 shirt. Savio was registered in time to make his Tottenham debut in the Carabao Cup third‑round tie against Charlton Athletic, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The club’s hierarchy see the signing as the culmination of a long‑term target that slipped away last summer when negotiations broke down.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi praised the Brazilian as one of the finest one‑on‑one wingers in the modern game, but he also stressed that Savio must add goal‑scoring to his already impressive creative toolkit if he is to reach world‑class status. "In attacking positions we need players capable of winning one‑on‑one battles, creating chances and, ultimately, scoring," De Zerbi explained at a press conference.
"Since 2024 he has been among the very best in that regard. He can operate on either flank, and I have known him for a long time, even from his Manchester City days. He is a big player for us." When asked whether he is the right coach to get the best out of Savio, De Zerbi was candid: "I don’t know if I am the perfect man, but he must deliver. A player of his calibre, who excels in one‑on‑one situations and creates opportunities, also needs to finish those chances.
The top wingers in the world typically score ten to fifteen goals a season. Savio has the qualities; he may need to adjust some habits to focus equally on assists, dribbling and scoring." Savio himself expressed enthusiasm in a club‑issued statement: "It has taken a while, but I am thrilled to be here.
This is a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world. As soon as I spoke to the head coach I knew I had to come. He told me he wants to help me reach the highest level, and I believe we can achieve that together as a team." De Zerbi added his own thoughts on the new signing: "Savio brings energy, imagination and quality to our wide areas. He has the courage to take on defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity.
We are very pleased to have him, and I look forward to working with him, helping him continue to grow and seeing his personality enrich the squad." The deal also marks a financial milestone for both clubs. Tottenham’s summer spending now exceeds £300 million, after splurging on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke for a combined fee of about £237 million, plus free‑transfer acquisitions such as Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi. Savio’s transfer, however, sets a new record fee received by Manchester City, overtaking the £82 million they secured for Julián Álvarez’s move to Atlético Madrid earlier in 2024. Beyond the Savio signing, Sky Sports reported that Tottenham are close to completing a deal for Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush.
Negotiations are reportedly progressing well, with the Egyptian striker showing interest. Meanwhile, City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Jeremy Doku is currently sidelined with injury, leaving City short of attacking options after the departure of Savio. Financial analysts at Sky Sports have highlighted that Tottenham have overspent relative to market values by a significant margin this window. Using Transfermarkt valuations as a benchmark, the club’s spending on Savio, Tonali, Fernandes and van Hecke exceeds the estimated worth of those players by more than £130 million.
Even after accounting for free transfers, the overspend remains above £100 million. Savio, in particular, is identified as the most over‑valued signing of the window, with an estimated £55 million premium over his market price. In summary, Savio’s arrival represents both a strategic footballing acquisition and a substantial financial outlay for Tottenham. The Brazilian winger arrives with a reputation for dazzling one‑on‑one skill, a willingness to play on either flank, and a hunger to develop his goal‑scoring instincts.
Under De Zerbi’s guidance, he will be expected to blend his creative flair with a sharper eye for goal, helping Spurs compete on multiple fronts this season. The club’s supporters can look forward to seeing the new number 17 in action soon, as he seeks to make an immediate impact in the Carabao Cup and beyond.