Whether or not Savinho’s relationship with Manchester City has been strained will be something to watch closely in the coming weeks, particularly after strong reports linking the Brazilian winger with a surprise transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.

For much of the summer, Spurs were pushing hard to lure the 21-year-old to North London, viewing him as a potential game-changer for Thomas Frank’s attacking project. However, with talks seemingly stalling, Tottenham have now turned their attention to Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche as a possible alternative, suggesting that the pursuit of Savinho may have hit a dead end.

City reluctant to repeat Palmer mistake

According to reports, Manchester City themselves played a key role in halting the deal. An influential figure inside the Etihad hierarchy is said to have intervened, wary of making the same mistake the club arguably made with Cole Palmer. The England international left City for Chelsea last summer and quickly blossomed into one of the Premier League’s standout talents. Those within the club fear Savinho could follow a similar trajectory if allowed to depart too soon, and they are keen to avoid another scenario where a potential superstar slips through their fingers.

This decision has left Savinho in a difficult position. While he was eager to join Tottenham and secure a prominent role in Frank’s developing side, he now faces the reality of returning to City, a club where competition for attacking places is notoriously fierce.

Could Savinho still have a future at Manchester City?

Despite his disappointment, all is not lost for the Brazilian. The Manchester Evening News reported that although he pushed for a move to Spurs, Savinho has not damaged his relationship with the City camp. Pep Guardiola, in particular, appears to remain a strong admirer of the youngster. Only a few days ago, the City boss described him publicly as an “extraordinary” player, praising his technical quality and versatility. Those comments suggest that Guardiola still sees a pathway for Savinho in his squad and may be willing to integrate him into the first team if he proves himself in training.

That said, City’s transfer stance remains clear: no player is completely unsellable if the right offer arrives. Should Tottenham or another club return with a figure that meets City’s valuation, the door could still open for Savinho to move away.

Why Savinho wanted Spurs switch

So why was Savinho so intent on joining Tottenham in the first place? While he has no personal issues with Guardiola, sources indicate that the winger was attracted to the prospect of working under Thomas Frank. The Danish coach has earned a reputation for placing trust in young, attacking players, and Savinho believed he would have had a far greater chance of becoming a regular starter at Spurs than at City.

The lure of consistent minutes is particularly important for the former Troyes attacker, who has one eye firmly on the 2026 World Cup. With Brazil’s national team brimming with forward talent, Savinho knows that regular club football will be essential if he wants to stake a claim for a place in the squad.

In the end, the collapse of the move represents both an opportunity and a setback. If he stays at Manchester City, Savinho could still carve out a role for himself and benefit from Guardiola’s guidance, but he may also find himself frustrated if he remains on the fringes of a star-studded team. For now, his future remains uncertain — and whether it lies in Manchester, North London, or elsewhere will likely be one of the more intriguing stories to watch as the season progresses.