Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of bolstering their attacking options in the January transfer window have received a significant boost, with the club now reportedly 'increasingly confident' of securing a deal for Manchester City forward Savinho.
Domino Effect from the Etihad
The key development paving the way for a potential move is Manchester City's progress in signing Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. According to reports, that deal is now 'all-but done', with City set to activate the striker's £65 million release clause.
Both Tottenham and Chelsea had previously been linked with Semenyo, but it is Pep Guardiola's side who have won the race. However, this high-profile arrival at the Etihad is expected to create a chain reaction, directly benefiting Spurs' own transfer ambitions.
Savinho Emerges as Primary Target
With Semenyo's move imminent, attention has turned to which attacking player might depart the reigning champions. A source told Caught Offside: "The Semenyo deal is all but done, and it’s likely we’ll see at least one City attacker leave as a result. The main two candidates would be Savinho and Oscar Bobb."
Tottenham have long been admirers of the Brazilian winger, having monitored his situation closely since the summer. An attempt to sign him in the previous transfer window was rebuffed by Guardiola, who was reluctant to lose the player.
However, the landscape has shifted. Savinho has found first-team opportunities limited this season, accruing just 535 minutes of Premier League football across 19 games, with only five starts. He has also started three of City's six Champions League matches.
Game-Time Concerns and Injury Setback
The arrival of another high-calibre forward in Semenyo would only intensify competition for places at City, potentially making Savinho more open to a move in search of regular playing time. A complicating factor is the player's current injury status; he was forced off during City's recent 0-0 draw with Sunderland, which could impact the timing of any transfer.
On the other side of the deal, Tottenham have already created space in their squad this window by sanctioning the departure of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace in a £35m deal.
Frank's Transfer Philosophy
Speaking about potential January business last week, Spurs manager Thomas Frank emphasised the importance of character and commitment from any new signing. He stated: "Any player we sign needs to be fully committed to the project. No doubt about that. Very important. Character for me, as I've said many times, is the most important thing."
As the final details on Semenyo's switch to Manchester are completed, all eyes will be on whether Tottenham can capitalise on the resulting opportunity and finally secure their long-term target, Savinho, to strengthen their push for a top-four finish.
