Tottenham’s pursuit of Savinho appears to be gathering pace, and this time the feeling is mutual.
Just days after reports emerged that Spurs had opened talks with Manchester City, ESPN Brasil now reports Savinho has made his decision. The Brazilian wants to stay in English football and, more specifically, wants to join Tottenham.
Considering where this story stood a year ago, that is quite a shift.
Tottenham pushed hard for Savinho last summer. Manchester City shut the door. Pep Guardiola still believed the winger could develop into an important player at the Etihad and had no interest in letting him go.
Savinho himself was not completely sold on the idea either. But this time is different.
Spurs preparing next step
According to ESPN, the Brazilian is fully convinced by a move to north London and is now waiting for Tottenham to submit their first official offer.
The report states Tottenham have already opened talks and are now working on their first formal bid.
That feels like the logical next stage of a transfer that has been building momentum over the last few weeks.
Manchester City have gradually changed their position on the player after a frustrating season. Savinho arrived from Girona carrying huge expectations, but things never really clicked.
The Brazilian finished the campaign with four goals and two assists in 35 appearances. Injuries did not help either, particularly the thigh problem that interrupted his season.
As a result, City have become increasingly open to a sale as they prepare for a summer rebuild. According to ESPN, the current valuation sits around £50m (€60m).
That is still a sizeable fee, but it is also notably lower than the figure Tottenham were willing to discuss when they first came calling.
Suddenly, everyone wants the same thing
For a while, this transfer looked complicated because the interests did not quite align.
Tottenham wanted Savinho. Manchester City wanted to keep him. But now the situation has flipped… City are willing to listen. Tottenham are back in the conversation. And, according to ESPN, the player wants the move.
Of course, a deal worth around £50m (€60m) is still a major commitment for a club that spent much of last season looking nervously over its shoulder. Negotiations could easily come down to structure, instalments and bonuses rather than the headline number itself.
Still, Tottenham have something they did not have last summer. This tim they may only need to convince Manchester City.