Roberto De Zerbi and Johan Lange have the pick of three exciting players to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, but time is running out.
Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi of Tottenham Hotspur reacts after Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur scored a goal during the Sydney Super Cup match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham at Accor Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Sydney, Australia
Roberto De Zerbi has a big call to make this summer(Image: Photo by Ayush Kumar/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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Savinho appears much better suited to Tottenham Hotspur than Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye. The Manchester City winger has been heavily linked with a move to the Lilywhites for a while now as Johan Lange looks to bolster the frontline, but a deal has so far proven difficult to wrap up.
football.london understands that Spurs are interested in signing Savinho, whose contract expires in June 2031, and they've already held talks with Manchester City over a potential fee. When Pep Guardiola was still in charge, higher-ups at the Etihad Stadium blocked a transfer to Tottenham because they viewed the Brazil international as a promising talent.
Despite being given a chance to start afresh and impress Enzo Maresca in pre-season, Savinho has expressed his desire to leave to pursue regular game time. Speaking to reporters this month, the new Manchester City boss refused to rule out the Brazilian's departure.
"In this moment, there is many speculation about our players – Savi is not the only one," said the former Chelsea boss. "While Savinho is here, we’re going to try and do our best to help him how he can improve and then unfortunately we said many times with the transfer window open anything can happen we need to be ready for that."
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football.london understands that Spurs are also interested in signing Cody Gakpo, whose contract at Anfield expires in June 2030. The Liverpool winger was one of the first names on the teamsheet when Arne Slot was still in charge, but now his minutes aren't so secure, with Andoni Iraola starting from a clean slate.
Meanwhile, Iliman Ndiaye has been mooted by some supporters as an option, too, having made such a good impression at Everton. In some ways, Tottenham are spoiled for choice, but they've got to make a decision before it's too late.
So, comparing the performances of Gakpo, Ndiaye, and Savinho in the Premier League last season, football.london has looked at who De Zerbi should sign to bolster his options on the left wing.
Roberto De Zerbi walks
Roberto De Zerbi has a busy final three weeks or so of the summer transfer window (Image: Getty Images)
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Savinho injury record raises questions
Last season, Gakpo (2,747) and Ndiaye (2,786) played more minutes in the Premier League than Savinho has managed since he joined Manchester City from Troyes in July 2024 for just over £30m (2,593). Although the Brazil international wasn't always one of the first names on the teamsheet under Pep Guardiola, he nursed a number of injuries; perhaps that's why.
Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye compared to Savinho in the Premier League last season.
Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye compared to Savinho in the Premier League last season.
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Savinho suffered a minor knee injury shortly after swapping the Stade de l'Aube for the Etihad. The winger managed to stay fit until the start of the following campaign, picking up a knock in a pre-season friendly against Palermo.
He struggled to re-establish himself as an undisputed starter, making many of his appearances in the English top-flight from off the bench. Then, at the start of this year, Savinho suffered a thigh problem, which sidelined him until the end of February.
Upon his return to action, he again failed to force his way back into the starting lineup, making the majority of his appearances off the bench. Meanwhile, Gakpo and Ndiaye have remained injury-free over the last year or so, staying sharp with lots of minutes on the pitch against some of the best players in the world.
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammate Ryan Gravenberch during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool
Cody Gakpo continues to be linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Gakpo outshines Ndiaye and Savinho
Generally speaking, Gakpo made better use of his time on the pitch in the Premier League last season. Even while playing for a disappointing Arne Slot side, the Liverpool winger proved to be a much greater threat than Ndiaye and Savinho, taking more shots and creating nearly twice as many chances per 90 minutes.
Not only did Gakpo score more goals (seven) and provide more assists (five) than Ndiaye and Savinho, but he was – marginally – the better performer in the final third. Per 90 minutes in the English top-flight, the Dutchman generated 0.43 xGA (expected goals and assists) but actually produced 0.39 GA (goals and assists).
Meanwhile, the Everton winger generated 0.34 xGA but produced 0.29 GA, and the Manchester City ace generated 0.45 xGA but produced just 0.22 GA. Of course, playing in a stronger team would have certainly helped, but it's food for thought.
Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye compared to Savinho in the Premier League last season.
Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye compared to Savinho in the Premier League last season.
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Savinho claims playmaking crown
Although the sample size was smaller, Savinho dominated the playmaking metrics compared to Gakpo and Ndiaye in the Premier League last season. As shown in the table below, per 90 minutes, the Manchester City winger (on the right) averaged more touches in the opposition box, more completed dribbles, far more progressive carries on a much greater scale, more fouls won, more open play crosses, and more line-breaking passes into the final third.
From left to right, Cody Gakpo, Iliman Ndiaye, and Savinho compared in the Premier League last season.
From left to right, Cody Gakpo, Iliman Ndiaye, and Savinho compared in the Premier League last season.
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If De Zerbi can keep Savinho fit and ensure he has just as many touches on the ball as he did under Guardiola, which shouldn't be difficult with Tottenham looking to dominate possession this season, he could explode. With just a few small tweaks, the Brazilian could begin to fulfil his great potential.
Savinho upstages Gakpo and Ndiaye... again!
Again, despite a smaller sample size, Savinho was a far more valuable asset off the ball than Gakpo and Ndiaye, per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season. As shown in the table below, the Manchester City winger (on the right) made more runs in behind, more sprints – over greater distances, too – and more high-intensity pressing actions in the opposition's half.
From left to right, Cody Gakpo, Iliman Ndiaye, and Savinho compared in the Premier League last season.
From left to right, Cody Gakpo, Iliman Ndiaye, and Savinho compared in the Premier League last season.
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Savinho also recorded the fastest top speed, generally ran further, and recorded more high-speed runs. The Brazilian blew Gakpo and Ndiaye out of the water in many of the physicality metrics, proving, once again, why he would be the best fit for Tottenham... if he can stay fit.
Tottenham face Savinho dilemma
Although Savinho appears to be the best option for De Zerbi, on paper and to the eye, the success of any potential transfer to Tottenham will largely hinge on whether he can stay fit over the course of a season. Even without European football this term, there will still be lots of games to be played.
So, if the Spurs boss is prepared to carefully manage his minutes, Savinho could be a great addition to the squad. As it happens, according to Transfermarkt, the Brazilian could be available for the lowest fee with a market value of just £29.9m (€35m), with Gakpo and Ndiaye priced at £51.3m (€60m) and £47m (€55m), respectively.
Bargain!