Key Points
- Tottenham Hotspur have signed Brazilian winger Savinho from Manchester City for an initial £75 million, with the deal potentially rising to £85 million through add-ons.
- The transfer is a club-record sale for Manchester City, beating the £82 million package received from Atlético Madrid for Julián Alvarez in 2024.
- The 22-year-old winger will wear the number 17 shirt at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
- Savinho has chosen to have “Sávio” printed on his shirt, returning to the name he used before joining Manchester City in 2024.
- The winger is the seventh major signing of Roberto De Zerbi’s ongoing squad rebuild in North London.
North London (North London News) August 25, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur have officially confirmed the marquee acquisition of winger Savinho from Manchester City in an initial £75 million deal, with the Brazilian international assigned the number 17 shirt for the upcoming campaign. The total value of the transaction could reach £85 million through £10 million in performance-related add-ons, establishing a record sale for Manchester City. Alongside his arrival in North London as head coach Roberto De Zerbi’s seventh signing of the summer transfer window, the player has chosen to make a distinct personal modification, altering the name on the back of his jersey to read ‘Sávio’ rather than ‘Savinho’.
Why did Savinho decide to change his shirt name upon joining Tottenham Hotspur?
As detailed by the official club statement released by Tottenham Hotspur Media, the 22-year-old forward requested to wear ‘Sávio’ on his shirt for the season. This marks a return to the name by which he was originally recognized prior to his transfer to Manchester City in 2024. During his tenure at the Etihad Stadium, the Brazilian featured under the diminutive moniker ‘Savinho’. However, following his move to North London, he has opted to restore his traditional name on the back of the number 17 kit.
In an official statement quoted across multiple news outlets, the player expressed his delight at securing the transfer to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. As reported by David Hytner of The Guardian, Sávio stated:
“It’s taken a while but I’m very happy to be here. It’s 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 do that together, as a team.”
Addressing his departure from Manchester City, Sávio also extended a message of gratitude to his former club. As reported by Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, Sávio noted:
“My teammates, the staff, the fans… all of them were brilliant with me. I am a better player and better person having spent time at City.”
What were the key reactions from Tottenham’s management to the record deal?
The leadership at Tottenham Hotspur highlighted the tactical value of the Brazilian winger to the project being constructed under Roberto De Zerbi. As reported by Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi stated:
“Savio is a player who brings energy, imagination and quality in wide positions. He has the courage to attack defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity.”
The club’s recruitment hierarchy also underscored that the player had been a target for an extended period. As reported in LiveScore, Tottenham Sporting Director Johan Lange declared:
“Savio is someone who has been on our radar for a while and I’m delighted that he is now a Tottenham Hotspur player. He has already shown his quality at the highest level, and we believe his ability, style and mentality will be a great fit for the squad we are building here.”
The financial structure of the transfer consists of a guaranteed £75 million payment upfront, accompanied by a £5 million guaranteed installment and up to £5 million in performance-based bonuses. This total figure surpasses the £82 million package Manchester City received for Julián Alvarez from Atlético Madrid, establishing a record departure for the Manchester club.
Sávio becomes the seventh arrival in North London during the current transfer window. He joins a list of additions that includes Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, Martin Dúbravka, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali. Reports suggest Spurs remain in ongoing discussions regarding further attacking acquisitions, including Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush.
Background of the particular development
The acquisition of Sávio comes after an extended pursuit by Tottenham Hotspur, who had previously attempted to secure the Brazilian’s signature prior to the start of the 2025–26 season. Sávio joined Manchester City in July 2024 following a standout campaign on loan at Girona FC in La Liga, where he contributed nine goals and ten assists in 37 appearances during the 2023–24 season.
During his period at Manchester City, the winger made 53 total league appearances, recording two goals and nine assists across competition phases. In the 2025–26 Premier League season, Sávio made 24 appearances for Manchester City, though 17 of those came as a substitute. With competition for wide positions remaining intense at the Etihad Stadium, Tottenham re-opened negotiations to secure a permanent deal, finalizing terms to bring him into Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical setup.
Prediction: How this development affects Tottenham Hotspur and its supporters
The arrival of Sávio provides Roberto De Zerbi with a specialized, direct 1v1 dribbler capable of unlocking low-block defenses from wide areas. For the Tottenham fanbase, the commitment of £75 million upfront signals the board’s intent to back De Zerbi’s high-intensity attacking system with top-tier talent.
Tactically, Sávio’s presence on the flank is expected to increase competition for starting positions among Spurs’ attacking unit while offering tactical flexibility across both the left and right wings. Given his familiarity with Premier League intensity and European competition, the inclusion of the newly designated number 17 is anticipated to elevate Tottenham’s chances of maintaining a sustained challenge for domestic silverware and European qualification throughout the season.
