Published Aug 20, 2026, 6:45 PM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years, specialising in transfer analysis, Premier League reporting and the business of football.
 

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to begin his journalism career at Snack Media, now Valnet.
 

Emilio has a particular interest in football finance, recruitment and the business behind the modern game. In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

David Ornstein first revealed that Spurs were working on a double deal for Savinho and Omar Marmoush, with negotiations progressing but nothing completed at that stage.

It is a clear sign that Roberto De Zerbi is still desperate for major additions despite Tottenham already spending heavily on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke.

The need for more firepower is obvious.

Spurs scored only 48 Premier League goals last season as they finished 17th for a second successive year.

Dominic Solanke remains their main striker, but injuries have regularly disrupted his time in north London, while playmaker Xavi Simons is also recovering from a serious knee problem, reducing the creative options available to De Zerbi.

Savinho and Marmoush would solve different problems.

Savinho is comfortable on either wing but can give Tottenham the natural width and individual skill they have been missing on the right. His speed would allow the Lilywhites to stretch opponents and create space for the midfielders moving into advanced areas.

Marmoush offers greater creativity and directness through the middle, and the Egypt international can also operate as a striker, move from the left or play alongside another forward.

Signing both would be another enormous show of faith in the Italian manager.

It would also give Tottenham the depth to move away from an attack that has too often depended on players staying fit or suddenly rediscovering their best form.

Now, the first part of that double move may be approaching its conclusion.

Tottenham close to signing Savinho in 'record-breaking' Man City deal

Globo journalist Cahê Mota reports that Tottenham are close to completing Savinho’s transfer after reaching broad agreement with City over the financial package.

The proposed deal is worth €93.3million in guaranteed payments, with a further €5.7million linked to performance targets, which places the total at around £85 million.

Final matters remain unresolved, so the move cannot yet be treated as formally complete.

However, Savinho is expected to receive permission to travel to London for his medical once those details are settled.

The transfer would become the biggest sale in City’s history, moving beyond the £64m million received from Atlético Madrid for Julian Alvarez in 2024, making it a 'record-breaking deal' in Mota's words.

Savinho has pushed for the move after becoming concerned about his opportunities under Enzo Maresca.

He was left out of the squad for City’s Community Shield defeat against Arsenal and believes regular football at Tottenham can revive his international prospects with Brazil.

Globo adds that discussions for Marmoush are also advanced and values the complete operation for both players at about £130 million.

There is still work to complete, particularly around the Egyptian, but Tottenham now appear closer than ever to landing Savinho after pursuing him across several transfer windows.