It’s shaping up to be a defining week in Tottenham Hotspur’s summer rebuild. Savinho’s £85m move from Manchester City is now just a formality away from completion, with the Brazilian having been a long-term target for ENIC before finally getting his man.
It represents the kind of statement business Spurs have been craving on the wing for years, and Savinho arrives with a reputation for dribbling, pace and genuine 1v1 quality that should slot straight into Roberto De Zerbi’s plans.
Hot on his heels is Omar Marmoush, another Manchester City player heading for the exit door at the Etihad and expected to end up in North London instead. Marmoush has already agreed personal terms with Tottenham, and the move is reportedly expected to be wrapped up in the coming days.
His mobility, pressing and finishing make him well suited to leading the line or drifting from the left, giving De Zerbi another versatile attacking option as he continues to reshape the frontline following a summer that’s already seen significant investment in midfield and defence.
Between Savinho and Marmoush, Tottenham are building what could be one of the most dangerous forward lines in the Premier League next season, with Mohammed Kudus also in the mix to provide further firepower from the right. It’s the kind of ambitious business that suggests the club’s hierarchy are fully backing De Zerbi’s vision for how this Spurs side should look moving forward.
But amid all that momentum, one deal appears to have hit the brakes. Cody Gakpo’s proposed move from Liverpool has reportedly stalled, despite Tottenham having found an agreement with the player himself.
According to Voetbal International journalist Joost Blaauwhof, there is currently “radio silence” between the two Premier League clubs over the transfer, with the chances of Spurs getting the deal done now said to “seem nil”. It’s a considerable U-turn given Tottenham were reported to have offered in excess of £59m for the forward, with Gakpo said to be keen on the move without wanting to force his way out of Anfield.
The hold-up appears to stem from Liverpool’s own business elsewhere. The Merseyside club are working on a deal to bring in Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, and reports suggest his arrival is key to unlocking any Gakpo departure. If Barcola doesn’t complete a move to Anfield, Gakpo is expected to stay put, with Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola having also spoken this week about utilising the Dutchman in his preferred left-wing role as well as through the middle, despite the ongoing speculation.
For now, then, Tottenham’s move for Gakpo looks to be on ice, with both clubs reportedly aware of where things stand and no real signs of progress being made Given the uncertainty, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Spurs’ attention turned back towards other options to bolster their forward line before deadline day – and one name that continues to be strongly linked is Nicolas Jackson.
The Chelsea striker has emerged as one of the most sought-after forwards on the market this summer, with Aston Villa currently leading the race to sign him as a replacement for the departing Ollie Watkins. According to reports, though, Tottenham have now launched their own move to sign the Senegalese international, opening direct talks with Chelsea over a fee believed to be around £65m.
Unlike Gakpo, a deal for Jackson would represent a more straightforward, proven Premier League option for De Zerbi rather than a project reliant on complicated three-way transfer chains. With Spurs already having spent heavily this summer and just over a week left in the window, a swoop for a recognised, ready-made striker like Jackson might prove a far easier deal to get over the line than waiting on Liverpool’s Anfield reshuffle to unblock Gakpo’s exit.
